Association between dietary carotenoid intake and vertebral fracture in people aged 50 years and older: a study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Summary

This study discussed the association between dietary intake of carotenoids and vertebral fractures by analyzing the target data, concluding a result of negative association and providing valuable information on vertebral fracture.

Objective

This study is to explore the association between dietary intake of carotenoids and vertebral fractures.

Methods

Data of individuals aged ≥ 50 years from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database were used in this cross-sectional study. Information on dietary carotenoid intake was obtained from the first 24-h dietary recall interview. Vertebral fractures were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The weighted multivariable logistic regression model was established to assess the association between dietary carotenoid intake and risk of vertebral fracture. Subgroup analysis of fracture history and menopausal status was performed for further analysis of this relationship.

Results

Of the 2053 eligible study subjects, there were 1021 men and 1032 women. Increased β-carotene intake was associated with decreased odds of vertebral fracture in women (odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0.99, P = 0.047), after adjusting for covariates. In men without a history of fracture, lutein and zeaxanthin intake was negatively associated with increased odds of vertebral fracture (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.99, P = 0.048). In women without a history of fracture, increased β-carotene intake was associated with decreased odds of vertebral fracture (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.61–0.99, P = 0.047). In postmenopausal women, β-carotene intake was also negatively associated with increased odds of vertebral fracture (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60–0.99, P = 0.048).

Conclusion

This research concludes a negative association between dietary carotenoid intake, especially β-carotene, and vertebral fractures in women, revealing a potential dietary prevention tactic for vertebral fractures in the future.