The relationship between vitamin D and adolescents' parathyroid hormone and bone mineral density.

Introduction: To detect the relationship between 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and adolescents' parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone mineral density (BMD). Material and methods: Two hundred adolescent girls were recruited for this cross-sectional comparative study. After detailed evaluation, a pelvic sonography was performed for the studied adolescents to rule out any pelvic pathology. Adolescents' blood samples were collected to measure the thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C), PTH, and 25(OH)D. The studied adolescents' BMD and the T-score were evaluated at 2 anatomical sites. The studied adolescents were classified according to their serum 25(OH)D into 2 groups: a 25(OH)D-deficient group (study group; 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml) and normal controls (25(OH)D > 30 ng/ml). Student's t-test was used for analysis of the studied adolescents' variables, and correlation analysis (Pearson`s correlation) was used to detect the relationship between 25(OH)D and adolescents' PTH and BMD. Results: The parathyroid hormone was statistically higher in the 25(OH)D-deficient group than in the normal controls (41.3 ±3.4 pg/ml vs. 21.1 ±2.8) (p = 0.02), and the BMD was statistically lower in the 25(OH)D-deficient group than in the normal controls (-1.25 ±0.5 vs. 0.3 ±0.4) (p = 0.01). The 25(OH)D had a significant negative correlation with the adolescents' PTH (r = -0.9175; p < 0.00001) and a significant positive correlation with the adolescents' BMD (r = 0.756; p < 0.00001). The parathyroid hormone had a significant negative correlation with the adolescents' BMD (r = -0.7006; p < 0.00001). Conclusions: The parathyroid hormone in this study had significant negative correlations with both 25(OH)D and BMD. The 25(OH)D had a significant positive correlation with the studied adolescents' BMD.

The relation between primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and body mass index.

Introduction: The aim was to assess the relation between primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and body mass index (BMI). Material and methods: Two-hundred and ten adolescents were recruited for this cross-sectional research. After detailed evaluation, pelvic sonography was performed for the studied adolescents to rule out any pelvic abnormalities and/or lesion(s). The severity of the studied adolescents' dysmenorrhea was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS). The studied adolescents were divided into underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese adolescent groups based on their BMI (kg/m2). Collected data were analyzed using the ANOVA test, and correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation) to assess the relation between primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents and BMI. Results: The visual analogue scale of dysmenorrhea was statistically higher in the underweight adolescent group (8.7 ±0.8) compared to normal-weight (6.5 ±0.5) (p = 0.000001), and overweight (6.3 ±0.6) (p = 0.000001) adolescent groups. The visual analogue scale of dysmenorrhea was also statistically higher in the obese adolescent group (9.4 ±0.6) compared to underweight (8.7 ±0.8) (p = 0.000001), normal-weight (6.5 ±0.5) (p = 0.000001), and overweight (6.3 ±0.6) (p = 0.000001) adolescent groups. Conclusions: The visual analogue scale of dysmenorrhea was statistically higher in the underweight adolescent group compared to normal-weight, and overweight adolescent groups, and there was a strong negative relation between the VAS and BMI in the underweight adolescent group. In addition, the VAS of dysmenorrhea was statistically higher when the obese adolescent group was compared with the overweight, normal-weight and underweight adolescent groups, and there was a moderate positive relation between the VAS and BMI in the obese adolescent group.

Vitamin D and vitamin D receptor polymorphism in Asian adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: The expression of vitamin D receptor in the normal endometrium and ovaries supports the role of vitamin D in local immunity and inflammatory cytokines regulation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the relation between serum 25(OH)D and primary dysmenorrhea in Asian Adolescents. METHODS: Two hundred and five (205) adolescents complaining of primary dysmenorrhea (study group) were compared in this prospective study to matched controls (210 controls) after informed consent following the Helsinki Declaration. After thorough evaluation, including a thorough history and pelvic ultrasound examination, blood samples were collected from the studied adolescents to measure serum 25(OH)D and for vitamin D receptor TaqI (rs731236) genotyping. The studied adolescents' data were analyzed using the Pearson's correlation to detect the relation between serum 25(OH)D and primary dysmenorrhea (primary outcome). The secondary outcome measures the odds of primary dysmenorrhea in Asian adolescents with vitamin D receptor TaqI (rs731236) polymorphism. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the studied-dysmenorrhea group compared to controls (16.17 ± 7.36 versus 17.65 ± 6.36 ng/ml, respectively), (P = 0.01). The correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the serum 25(OH)D and visual analogue scale of dysmenorrhea (r = -0.9003, P < 0.0001). The studied-dysmenorrhea cases with vitamin D receptor T/t and t/t genotypes had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D (16.7 ± 8.05 and 14.4 ± 4.1 ng/ml, respectively) compared to controls (18.97 ± 6.7 and 21.4 ± 2.45 ng/ml, respectively), (P = 0.02 and 0.004, respectively). The VDR T/t and t/t polymorphisms significantly increase the odds of primary dysmenorrhea (OR 1367.2, P < 0.0001 and OR 106.2, P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the studied-dysmenorrhea group compared to controls. The studied-dysmenorrhea cases with VDR T/t and t/t TaqI genotypes had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D compared to controls. The VDR T/t and t/t polymorphisms significantly increase the odds of primary dysmenorrhea.

Study of the hepcidin level in pregnant women with and without anemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Currently, a wide range of laboratory markers characterizing iron metabolism is available to clinicians. However, they are mainly limited by determining the hemoglobin content, iron concentration and erythrocyte morphology, which makes it impossible to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from other hypochromic anemia forms. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hepcidin as a ferrokinetics marker under the development of anemia during pregnancy. METHODS: The study included 60 pregnant women (average age 26.0±0.74 years). They were divided into two groups. The participants of the Main group had hypochromic microcytic anemia with the reference values of the red blood cells 4.15 million/µL and the hemoglobin level 105 g/L. The reference values of these marks in the Control group were 4.54 million/µL and 124.50 g/L respectively. RESULTS: Low levels of Fe, ferritin, and hepcidin were detected in pregnant women with anemia. The serum hepcidin concentration of women with anemia was 0.55 ng/mL. The anemia-diagnosed group had a reduced ferritin level by 32% (4.5 ng/mL). This point for the Control group was 14.0 ng/mL. A positive moderate relationship was indicated for hepcidin and Fe (r=0.39; P=0.05). At the same time, a negative moderate relationship (r=-0.56; P=0.05) was found between hepcidin and ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: Data from pregnant women with anemia showed hypochromic microcytic anemia with a serum ferritin level of 4.5 ng/mL and hepcidin level of 0.55ng/mL. The present research furtherly supports the valid role of hepcidin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. (www.actabiomedica.it).

The impact of primary dysmenorrhea on adolescents' activities and school attendance.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most commonly encountered menstrual issue among adolescents, often leading to significant school absenteeism. This study aimed to detect the impact of primary dysmenorrhea on adolescents' activities and school attendance. We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study involving 180 adolescents aged 12 to 18 who experienced primary dysmenorrhea. A comprehensive trans-abdominal pelvic sonography was performed to rule out any underlying pelvic conditions. The severity of dysmenorrhea was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), categorizing adolescents into groups with mild dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥1 to ≤3), moderate dysmenorrhea (VAS >3 to ≤7), and severe dysmenorrhea (VAS >7 to ≤10). Adolescents were surveyed to determine whether the severity of dysmenorrhea had an adverse effect on their physical and social activities as well as their school attendance. We used one-way ANOVA to compare the groups. There was a significant positive relation between the severity of dysmenorrhea and its negative impact on adolescents' physical activities (r=0.395; p<0.00001) and social activities (r=0.658; p<0.00001). Additionally, there was a significant positive relation between the severity of dysmenorrhea and its negative impact on adolescents' school attendance (r=0.416; p<0.00001). The odds of a negative impact on adolescents' physical and social activities and school attendance were significantly higher in adolescents experiencing moderate and severe dysmenorrhea than in adolescents with mild dysmenorrhea.

The effect of vitamin D on adolescents' primary dysmenorrhea.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in the female reproductive tract explains the regulatory role of vitamin D on inflammatory cytokine and prostaglandin (PGD) synthesis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on adolescents' primary dysmenorrhea and the relationship between Vit. D and adolescents' primary dysmenorrhea. Eighty-five adolescents were included in the current study. After a detailed evaluation, pelvic sonography was performed for all participants to rule out any pelvic pathology. Blood samples were collected to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D). Participants were administered vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly for five months), and their dysmenorrhea symptoms were evaluated before and after this period using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Verbal Multidimensional Scoring (VMS). The mean VAS and VMS scores of dysmenorrhea statistically decreased from 8.7±0.91 and 2.65±0.93 to 4.8±0.75 and 0.80±0.75, respectively, after vitamin D intake (p=0.03 and 0.025, respectively). Significant negative associations between 25(OH)D and VAS (R = -0.886; p<0.00001) and VMS of dysmenorrhea (R = -0.885; p<0.00001) were detected in this study. Vit. D could be a useful therapeutic option to reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and could limit the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The effects of vitamin D and calcium on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review.

Dysmenorrhea, affecting approximately 80% of adolescents, significantly impairs quality of life, disrupts sleep patterns, and induces mood changes. Furthermore, its economic impact is substantial, accounting for an estimated $200 billion in the United States and $4.2 million in Japan annually. This review aimed to identify the effects of vitamin D and calcium on primary dysmenorrhea. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct, focusing on studies published from 2010 to 2020. Keywords included 'primary dysmenorrhea', 'vitamin D', '25-OH vitamin D3', 'cholecalciferol', and 'calcium'. The quality assessment of the articles was done using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklists, and the risk bias was assessed using the Cochrane assessment tool. Abnormal low Vit. D levels increased the severity of primary dysmenorrhea through increased prostaglandins and decreased calcium absorption. Vitamin D and calcium supplements could reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and the need for analgesics. This systematic review found an inverse relation between the severity of dysmenorrhea and low serum Vit. D and calcium.. Vitamin D and calcium supplements could reduce the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and the need for analgesics.