The effect of vitamin D levels on lipid, glucose profiles and depression in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency is a significant problem that affects the population living in most countries. This issue is independent by place of residence, sex, age or skin color. It is mainly influenced by the environment we live in and by an unhealthy lifestyle, including bad eating habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate lipid profile, glucose levels, and vitamin D levels, considering sociodemographic variables, smoking and alcohol consumption in perimenopausal women. Depressive mood was also assessed considering sociodemographic variables and vitamin D levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 191 women and performed in two stages. The first of them was carried out using a diagnostic survey with the use of a technique questionnaire. The applied research instruments were the author's questionnaire (concerning sociodemographic and selected medical data), and the Beck Depression Inventory. The second stage of the study involved the collection of peripheral blood from each respondent, in order to determine lipid profile, glycemia and serum vitamin D levels. RESULTS: The age of the female respondents ranged from 45 to 65 years, mean age was 53.1 ± 5.37 years, median 53 years. Vitamin D levels were below normal in 78%; 77% had elevated total cholesterol levels; 91.6% of the respondents had high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels within the normal range; 64.4% was characterized by too high (low-density lipoprotein) LDL cholesterol, and 84.8% of the women showed normal triglyceride levels. Among the respondents, 91.1% had normal glycemic levels. Analysis of the collected data showed a weak negative correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the levels of total cholesterol (rho=-0.14; p=0.05), LDL cholesterol (rho=-0.16; p=0.026), and triglycerides (rho=-0.22; p=0.002). Only in the case of HDL cholesterol (p=0.067), there was no statistically significant correlation. There were also no statistically significant correlations between serum vitamin D levels and glycemia or severity of depression. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The majority of the women did not manifest depressive disorders. Of all factors analyzed, only education was associated with the severity of depressiveness. 2. Smoking adversely affected serum vitamin D levels in the studied women. 3. The cessation of menstruation affected carbohydrate metabolism and vitamin D levels. Blood glucose levels increased with the age of the studied women. 4. Relationships were found between the levels of vitamin D and the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Therefore, it is important to maintain normal vitamin D levels.

Elevated serum fluoride levels in perimenopausal women are related to the components of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Increased fluoride levels can lead to numerous complications, including skeletal effects, cardiotoxicity, endocrine dysfunction, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between serum fluoride levels and MetS or its individual components, and to assess the diagnostic usefulness of fluoride as a factor contributing to MetS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a group of 475 women (mean age of 52.9 years), living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. The study involved data collection and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the relationship between the levels of fluoride and the presence of MetS or its components showed that the mean fluoride level was statistically significantly higher in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (dCohen = 0.39; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.13, 0.63) and hypertension (dCohen = 0.25; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.07, 0.44). Moreover, the mean fluoride level was significantly higher in women who met the diagnostic criteria for MetS than in the remaining subjects (dCohen = 0.40; 95% CI; confidence limits: 0.17, 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum fluoride levels may be associated with an increased incidence of MetS among perimenopasal women, although its diagnostic value as a marker of MetS is limited.

The effect of tryptophan and serotonin levels on the severity of depressive and climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The dysfunctional serotonergic system is a factor contributing to the development of depression. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of serotonin and tryptophan on the severity of climacteric and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved data collection and biochemical analysis. The research instruments were: the Blatt-Kuppermann index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the proprietary questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of tryptophan (r=0.05; p=0.219) and serotonin (r= -0.03; p=0.537) on the severity of depressive symptoms, or tryptophan on the severity of climacteric symptoms (r=0.019; p=0.657). However, a weak negative correlation was found between the level of serotonin and the severity of climacteric symptoms (r=-0.09; p=0.022). Additionally, it was found that severe depressive symptoms were associated with a significant exacerbation of climacteric symptoms (ß=0.379; p<0.001), while higher serotonin levels alleviated them (ß=-0.604; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Higher severity of depressive symptoms may exacerbate climacteric symptoms. Serotonin levels may influence the severity of climacteric symptoms. Moreover, the higher the serotonin level, the lower the odds of depressive disorders, irrespective of the severity of climacteric symptoms. Tryptophan levels had no effect on the severity of depressive and climacteric symptoms in the perimenopausal women.

Analysis of the relationship between personality traits and Internet addiction.

OBJECTIVE: The issue of 'new media' addictions has been described in literature for many years. For almost a decade now researchers have been emphasizing that addiction does not have to be caused only by various substances but also by contact with digital technologies. Behavioral addictions are a growing problem in the society. Digital technologies are used by people of different ages, and their number is increasing every year. Precise reasons for the development of addictions remain unknown. In the case of behavioral addictions, especially Internet addiction, the significance of personality traits and behaviors predisposing an individual to addiction, such as depressiveness, anxiety, hostile attitude, aggression, impulsiveness, psychotic behaviors, shyness and self-esteem disorders, are emphasized. The aim of this study was a general assessment of the level of Internet addiction with regard to personality traits according to the Big Five model by Costa and McCrae. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study involved 556 women, whose average age was 34 years and who met the inclusion criteria: female sex, age of 18 years or above, place of residence in West Pomeranian Voivodship, an informed consent for participation in the study, and completion of the questionnaire forms set. The study was conducted using a diagnostic poll method with a questionnaire technique. To carry out the analysis both author's own and standardized tools were used: the author's questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory which assesses the levels of personality traits, and the Internet Addiction Test used to measure behaviors and characteristics related to compulsive use of the Internet. RESULTS: Most (70.9%) of the studied women were average users of the Internet, 25% of respondents were at risk of addiction, and the least numerous group of women (4.1%) was addicted to the Internet. Conscientiousness negatively correlated with Internet addiction. Openness to experience was conducive to Internet addiction. A positive link between neuroticism and Internet addictions was established. No significant relationships between Internet addiction and extraversion as well as agreeableness were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The type of personality of the studied women implicated relationships to Internet addiction. Neuroticism might be a personality trait that particularly predisposes to an increased risk of Internet addiction. Openness to experience was conducive to Internet addiction. Conscientiousness negatively correlated with Internet addiction.