Vitamin D receptor alleles do not correlate with bone mineral density in premenopausal Caucasian women from the southeastern United States

Genetic factors are important in determining peak bone density. Recent studies indicate that polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) may account for much of the genetic contribution to bone density, and VDR genotype may be useful to predict the risk of developing osteoporosis. However, the association between VDR genotype and bone mineral density (BMD) has not been observed in all populations. We determined VDR genotype in 69 healthy premenopausal Caucasion women from the southeastern United States and measured BMD at the lumbar spine (anterior-posterior [AP] and lateral views) and proximal femur. We found no association between VDR genotype and BMD at any site. Our results indicate that in this population, VDR genotype does not predict peak bone density and should not be used to predict the risk of developing osteoporosis. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.