Influence of vitamin D status on the effect of statins on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study sought to assess whether the association between statin use and bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers is modulated by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in postmenopausal women. Design, Participants, and Settings: Approximately 1422 postmenopausal women were recruited from the Camargo Cohort after excluding those with any known medical disorder or drug that might affect bone metabolism. Participants were categorized into four groups: 25OHD levels of 20 ng/mL or less and not taking statins (group 1; n = 492); 25OHD levels greater than 20 ng/mL and on statins (group 2; n = 143); 25OHD levels of 20 ng/mL or less and using statins (group 3; n = 112); and 2OHD levels greater than 20 ng/mL and non-statin use (group 4; n = 675). Multivariate analyses were performed to compare BMD and bone turnover markers between groups.

Results: Women in group 2 had an adjusted femoral neck and total hip BMD higher than women in group 1 (P < .0001 and P = .003, respectively). A trend toward a significant difference was observed regarding lumbar BMD (P = .08). Serum aminoterminal propeptide of type 1 collagen and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen levels were lower in group 2 than in group 1, in crude and adjusted models, although only serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen difference was significant (P = .009).

Conclusions: Women on statins and serum 25OHD levels above 20 ng/mL have greater BMD and less bone resorption than those without either of the factors. Differences, however, are not significant in women with only one of them. Vitamin D and statins seem to interact positively in their effects on bone metabolism.