Vitamin D and bone health in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Low bone health is associated with vitamin D deficiency in older individuals; however, this association is not well established in adults. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone health in adults by systematic review and meta-analysis. The search was carried out in the LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect databases from March 2017 to October 2018 with adult individuals (20-59 years). Bone health was evaluation performed through dual X-ray absorptiometry and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D. The random effect model was used to analyze data from bone mineral content and bone mineral. Random effects models were used and the sources of heterogeneity were explored by means of meta-regression. Thirty-five articles were selected. There was positive correlation between vitamin D and bone health in most of the evaluated sites. Correlation was observed in the analysis of subgroups for lumbar spine among men. When stratified, the studies presented high heterogeneity, which was explained by the sample size, mean serum vitamin D levels and risk of bias. Vitamin D is positively correlated to bone health in adult individuals.