AACE2021-A-1099: Does Diet Pattern (Vegetarian Vs. Non-Vegetarian) Influence Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin (25OHD) Levels Among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Lessons from a Cross Sectional Study from North India?

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the commonest endocrinopathy of reproductive age women has multiple metabolic aberrations. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is reported in epidemic proportions (70-100%) among Indians, and PCOS is not an exception. VDD is linked to negative consequences on non-skeletal health including worsening of metabolic derangements among women with PCOS. Data is lacking on the subject of vegetarians are at greater risk of VDD than non-vegetarians since animal sources are believed to be rich in vitamin D.To evaluate differential impact of dietary composition (veg vs. non-veg) on serum 25 OHD levels among women with PCOS.T. In this cross-sectional study, consecutive women aged 14–40 years and diagnosed PCOS by Rotterdam 2003 criteria were enrolled from endocrinology outpatient clinics of AIIMS New Delhi and SKIMS Srinagar between March 2014 and April 2016. Among 177 women enrolled, 74 vegetarians (from AIIMS) and 104 non-vegetarians (from SKIMS) underwent a uniform evaluation using a common predesigned proforma at both the centers. Clinical assessment (medical history including menstrual cyclicity, anthropometry, hirsutism scoring, acne and alopecia grading), food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and laboratory evaluation (CBC, KFT, LFT, Ca, P, lipid profile, T4, TSH, LH, FSH, total testosterone, prolactin, 17-OHP, 8am Cortisol, 25OHD) were carried out. The mean age of subjects (26.43 ± 4.44 vs.26.77 ± 5.51 years) was comparable as was mean BMI (23.51 ± 2.97 vs.23.81 ± 4.22 Kg/m2). Total calorie intake was 1838.33±298.54 vs. 1478.44±404.87 kcal among non-vegetarians and vegetarians respectively. Number of menstrual cycles/year (8.13±3.40 vs. 8.02 ± 2.38), FG score (11.82±4.52 vs. 11.32±4.23), biochemical (LFT, KFT, calcium, phosphorus) and hormonal (serum LH, FSH,) parameters were also similar except for serum alkaline phosphatase (105.46 ± 32.27 vs. 162.70 ± 42.58 IU/L), total cholesterol (98.92 ± 24.33 vs. 81.15 ± 25.32 md/dl), and triglycerides (135.01 ± 50.25 vs.107.06 ± 42.10 md/dl). The mean serum 25OHD levels did not differ significantly among non-vegetarians and vegetarians (15.64 ± 5.41 vs. 12.50 ± 8.39 ng/ml). VDD is very common among women with PCOS and the deficiency is marginally severe among vegetarian women with PCOS than those consuming non-vegetarian diet.