Association of vitamin D deficiency with demographic, metabolic and sex hormone levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a most prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by various clinical manifestations, including menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Severe vitamin D deficiency is more frequent in women with PCOS than in general females and has been associated with various metabolic disorders, comprising insulin resistance, blood pressure, obesity, and menstrual abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the correlation among deficiency of vitamin D and demographic characteristics, metabolic parameters, and sex hormone levels of PCOS women from southern India. Materials and Methods: A case-control study involving 240 individuals comprised 120 women meeting the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS and 120 healthy age-matched controls. Various parameters, including anthropometric data, fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, hormone levels, and vitamin D status, were assessed. Results: The results showed that participants with PCOS had significant increases in BMI, FBS, insulin, and HOMAIR levels. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher according to the lipid profile when compared to the control group, additional hormonal testing on PCOS patients revealed significantly higher levels of the LH: FSH ratio and testosterone. Women with PCOS showed significant low levels of 25(OH) D when compared to healthy women. Conclusion: Our findings revealed an association between low levels of 25(OH)D and the manifestation of symptoms related to metabolic syndrome in PCOS women. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation may have the potential to improve the underlying pathophysiology of PCOS.