Abstract:

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency with metabolic syndrome risk factors, quality of life, and depression in postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older. Materials and Metods: The study was conducted with women (n=165) who attended a handicraft course in Bursa Province, Turkey, in March 2019. At the initial visit, blood samples were obtained from the individuals, and the study continued with 150 participants whose serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels lower than 30 ng/mL and met the research criteria. At the second visit, the subjects were questioned about their general characteristics, quality of life, and depression. In addition to the questionnaire, metabolic syndrome was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, and waist circumference and blood pressure measurements were made for each participant. Results: The prevalences of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in the participants were 21.3% and 78.7, respectively. When compared to the women with vitamin D insufficiency, those with vitamin D deficiency displayed a significantly higher metabolic syndrome prevalence (46.6% vs 18.8%), waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels, and significantly lowered high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, the differences observed between the women with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency for physical function, energy level/vitality, mental and general health, which are sub parameters of the quality of life scale, and depression and anxiety scores, were also statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that low vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women may be associated with metabolic syndrome, low quality of life, and depression.

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