Is there any association between vitamin D status and PCOS disease?

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. The current study sought to assess vitamin D status in women with PCOS compared to the control group and to describe the association between vitamin D deficiency and the features of PCOS.

Material and methodology: A descriptive retrospective study about 176 women of reproductive age was conducted. The sample was divided into two groups: individuals with PCOS (82 women) and healthy individuals without PCOS (94 women). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum concentration less than 10 ng/ml. We used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21 for all analyses.

Results: In our study, vitamin D deficiency was observed in 40.2% PCOS patients and 24% controls. The 25(OH)D level was lower in PCOS women and the incidence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PCOS women with insulin resistance or obesity had lower 25(OH)D levels in comparison with PCOS individuals without IR or obesity. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)/body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D status.

Discussion and conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency could be one of the etiological mechanisms of PCOS. In fact, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in PCOS women is evident, principally in those with obesity or IR. Also, the serum 25(OH)D level was correlated with parameters of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is proposed that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial for the management of PCOS patients.