Pelvic floor prolapse and vitamin D levels: are we doing enough? A research paper

ABSTRACT
Objective. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem that negatively affects the quality of life of women and requires a wide range of management steps that can involve serious surgical interventions. This study aims to evaluate a possible relation between pelvic organ prolapse presence and severity,
and vitamin D levels. We don’t aim to assess the incidence of pelvic floor prolapse in Jordan in this study.
Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of non-pregnant females with pelvic organ prolapse presented to gynecology outpatient clinics for a 1-year duration. Full clinical history and gynecological evaluation were recorded and correlated to plasma vitamin D levels. An independent t-test was used to analyse the possible relationship between vitamin levels and POP.
Results. One hundred forty women were recruited, with an average age of 42.1 ± 13.3 and a mean parity of 5.73 ± 1.88. The mean vitamin D levels were 12.8 ± 11.4, lower than the international standards. The serum levels of vitamin D were markedly lower in the prolapse group than in the non-prolapse group (p = 0.046). Moreover, lower vitamin D levels correlate with multisite manifestation (p = 0.022), rectocele (p = 0.007), and advanced stage (p = 0.053).
Conclusions. The study concluded that patients with pelvic organ prolapse showed lower vitamin D levels than those without prolapse. Moreover, it seems that vitamin D deficiency can be independently correlated to multisite prolapse and advanced grades.