Association Of Vitamin D Deficiency And Pelvic Organ Prolapse In Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Vitamin D is vital for skeletal integrity as well as optimal muscle work. High incidence and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as pelvic organe prolapse are found in postmenopausal women, thus raising the question of whether the entities could be related.Methods: We compared 50 postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with 48 age- and weight-matched controls. The clinical assessment of the disorder was performed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POP-Q). A questionnaire was filled out by the participants and a blood sample was collected for 25-OH-vitamin D determination.Results: The two groups did not differ significantly in body mass index, but differed significantly in vitamin D blood level concentrations, those being lower in POP patients. A significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25-OH-vitamin D< 50 nmol/l) was found in the test group compared to controls. Higher parity/vaginal deliveries and less caesarean sections were found in patients than in controls. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency might be an important associated systemic factor associated to pelvic organ prolapse. The determination of vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women and replenishing its deficiency might also be of importance for the pelvic floor.