Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with bone mineral density in Slovenian postmenopausal women

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease which affects one in three women after the 60th year of life and is a major cause of morbidity in older people. To identify patients with osteoporosis, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is recommended. The association of BMD with vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype in Slovenian postmenopausal women was studied. We determined VDR genotype in 102 late postmenopausal women aged 47-77 years. BMD measurements were performed at the level of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Our data show significantly lower BMD in BB women compared to those with bb genotype. The relative distribution of VDR genotypes and alleles in the Slovenian population was 18.6 : 57.8 : 23.6% for BB : Bb : bb, respectively. The results are consistent with those of a previous study which found an excellent correlation between BB VDR genotype and low BMD. The data were derived from a relatively small, but ethnically homogeneous population of the same socioeconomic status, with very similar dietary and physical activity habits. Dietary habits in particular seem to be important because of the relatively low calcium intake which may enhance the phenotypic expression of VDR gene polymorphisms.