Pelvic Floor Disorders are Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: A strong relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and muscle function has been documented in various studies. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to impairment of pelvic floor muscle strength and hence pelvic floor disorders (PFD) i.e. urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence and prolapse symptoms. Objectives: 1) To determine serum vitamin D levels in women with PFD symptoms and healthy controls. 2) To correlate serum vitamin D levels with severity of PFD symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life in patients with PFD. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based case control study conducted on women attending gynaecology OPD. Eighty women were enrolled in our study and comprised of two groups - Group A of 40 patients with PFD symptoms and Group B of 40 healthy subjects. Serum vitamin D estimation, history, clinical examination, and pelvic floor muscle strength by Oxford scale was recorded in all the subjects on a predesigned proforma. Patients in group A were further divided on the basis of vitamin D status as vitamin D sufficient and vitamin D insufficient groups. PFD symptoms severity and its impact on quality of life were recorded on 'Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-Short form 20' (PFDI-SF 20) and 'Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7' (PFIQ-7) questionnaire respectively in group A. Results: In group A, 90% of patients were vitamin D deficient compared to 57.5% in group B (p = 0.002). Vitamin D level had positive correlation with pelvic floor muscle strength in both group A (p = 0.034, r value=0.336) and group B (p = 0.004, r value = 0.448). Mean PFDI-SF 20 summary score was significantly more in vitamin D insufficient group compared to vitamin D sufficient group. A negative correlation with PFIQ-7 scoring (p = 0.017, r value = - 0.392) and vitamin D was observed, suggesting poor quality of life in vitamin D deficient women. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with pelvic floor disorders, poor pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life. Keywords: Vitamin D, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Floor Muscle, Quality of Life, Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
Authors: Mamta Gupta, Kirti Aggarwal, Sanjay Jain, Vandana Saini, Shweta Gupta
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2604541201