Association between vitamin D status and risk of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in Kerala population

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Postmenopausal women may have an increased risk of MS and CVD. Vitamin-D (Vit-D) is believed to have an important role in the progression of CVD. Hence the study was conducted to assess the link between Vit-D and MS among postmenopausal Kerala population.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 298 postmenopausal women. Anthropometric measurements were measured using the standard procedure. Blood samples were collected and Vit-D levels of all participants were estimated. The study population was further grouped into three based on the Vit-D status as Vit-D deficient, Vit-D insufficient Vit-D normal group. Other parameters such as blood glucose, TC, TG, HDL, and LDL were measured and metabolic syndrome was identified.

There was a significant difference in the prevalence of MS between the groups. The one way ANOVA between the groups showed a significant difference (p≤0.05) for the components of MS such as waist circumference, BP, FBS, HDL-C. The Triglycerides levels did not show a significant difference between the groups. The Person correlation test indicated a negative correlation between Vit-D and the components of MS except for HDL-C.

Vitamin-D deficiency was highly prevalent in Kerala menopausal women and serum Vit-D levels were significantly correlated with the prevalence of MS in postmenopausal women; this finding indicates that Vit-D could be an important factor for the development of MS and further CVD in Kerala postmenopausal woman.