Vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women with pelvic floor disorders

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic floor disorders (PFD) is a group of disorders including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal incontinence . Recent studies show the role of vitamin D in muscle strength and neuromuscular function . The various factors contributing to pelvic floor disorders include multiparity, mode of delivery, instrumental delivery, obesity, aging, collagen defects and menopause. This indicates that postmenopausal women are more likely to develop symptoms of PFD. Elderly women are more likely to be vitamin D deficient due to the reduced activity of the skin to convert 25 hydroxy cholecalciferol to active form as the age advances . In this study we intend to evaluate the possible association of vitamin D deficiency and pelvic floor disorders especially POP and UI in postmenopausal women. METHODS 60 women in the control group formed by postmenopausal women without signs and symptoms of prolapse or stress urinary incontinece and 60 postmenopausal women in the case group with signs or symptoms of pelvic floor disorders were included.Women with chronic renal illness, previous vitamin D supplementation, non ambulant chronically bed ridden patients were excluded from the study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured at the time of recruitment in both the groups and proforma containing detailed history for risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and pelvic floor disorders was completed. The data analyzed by SPSS software.