Vitamin D Deficiency and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women

Relationship between urinary tract infections and serum vitamin D level in adults and children- a literature review

Over time, researchers have accumulated significant evidence indicating that vitamin D deficiency not only impacts skeletal health but also contributes to the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. The risk of low serum 1, 25(OH)2D3 level ultimately directs the way to morbidity, the beginning of new diseases, and numerous infections. Infections are the first entity that affects those with vitamin D deficiency. The common infection is urinary tract infection (UTI), and its relationship with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency remains controversial. This infection affects both men and women, but comparatively, women are more prone to this infection because of the short length of the urethra, which makes an easy entry for the bacteria. The low level of serum vitamin D increases the risk of UTIs in children. Recurrent UTIs are one of the major weaknesses in women; if left untreated, they progress to appallingly serious conditions like kidney dysfunction, liver damage, etc. Hence improving the vitamin D status may help to improve the immune system, thus making it more resistant to infections. In this review, we have focused on examining whether vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are the causes of UTIs and the association between them in women and children. We have also described the connection between vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency with UTIs and additional nanotechnology- based treatment strategies.

Vitamin D and its role in gynecology: emerging importance of checking vitamin D status in certain gynecological entities

Among non-bone effects of vitamin D, the three main chronological stages in gynecology ‒ menarche, reproductive stage and menopause/postmenopause - are possibly impacted by vitamin D deficiency. A large amount of emerging data show that vitamin D is a confounding factor in these parameters. Gynecology stays at the crossroads with endocrinology and, in the light of the rising knowledge about the involvement of vitamin D in many gynecological disorders, it is worth to investigate the exact role of vitamin D in this area. Especially since vitamin D is easy to substitute in case of deficiency. Authors present some emerging data on the role of vitamin D in gynecology, suggesting when it is necessary to check vitamin D status to intervene with vitamin D supplementation and raising gynecologists' awareness of the need for further clinical studies.

A metabolomics study: Could plasma metabolites be a guide for the prevention of tamsulosin side effects?

BACKGROUND

The understanding of precision medicine, which aims for high efficacy and low toxicity in treatments, has gained more importance with omics technologies. In this study, it was aimed to reach new suggestions for low-toxicity treatment by clarifying the relationship between tamsulosin side effects and metabolome profiles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma samples of control and tamsulosin-treated rats were analyzed by LC-Q-TOF/MS/MS. MS/MS data was processed in XCMS software for the identification of metabolite and metabolic pathway analysis. Data were classified with MATLAB 2019b for multivariate data analysis. 34m/z values were found to be significantly different between the drug and control groups (P≤0.01 and fold analysis≥1.5) and identified by comparing METLIN and HMDB databases.

RESULTS

According to multivariate data analysis, α-Linolenic Acid, Thiamine, Retinoic acid, 1.25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-26.23-Lactone, L-Glutamine, L-Serine, Retinaldehyde, Sphingosine 1-phosphate, L-Lysine, 23S.25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, Sphinganine, L-Cysteine, Uridine 5'-diphosphate, Calcidiol, L-Tryptophan, L-Alanine levels changed significantly compared to the control group. Differences in the metabolisms of Retinol, Sphingolipid, Alanine-Aspartate-Glutamate, Glutathione, Fatty Acid, Tryptophan, and biosynthesis of Aminoacyl-tRNA, and Unsaturated Fatty Acid have been successfully demonstrated by metabolic pathway analysis. According to our study, vitamin A and D supplements can be recommended to prevent side effects such as asthenia, rhinitis, nasal congestion, dizziness and IFIS in the treatment of tamsulosin. Alteration of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism pathways during tamsulosin treatment is effective in the occurrence of nasal congestion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides important information for tamsulosin therapy with high efficacy and low side effects in precision medicine.

Is vitamin D replacement effective in the treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training, and vitamin D replacement in the treatment of urinary incontinence in the postpartum period of pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency.

METHODS

The study was planned as an ancillary study of a study on the determination of the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and urinary incontinence in third-trimester pregnant women. Total 61 women who defined urinary incontinence at postpartum 8th week were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: the vitamin D replacement group and the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) group. Participants in both groups received appropriate treatment for 12 weeks. İnitial evaluations of which Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification stage, International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire on Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) query, and pelvic floor muscle strength were repeated after 12 weeks of treatment for each patient.

RESULTS

In the vitamin D replacement group, there was a significant increase in Oxford scores measured after treatment compared with pre-treatment and a significant decrease in ICIQ-FLUTS scores. In the comparison of the groups, it was determined that the changes in the Oxford and ICIQ-FLUTS scores of the vitamin D group after treatment were significantly higher than those of the PFMT group. In this pilot study, it was determined that the effectiveness of vitamin D replacement in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnant women with hypovitaminosis D was significantly higher than PFMT.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D replacement may be useful in the treatment of urinary incontinence in pregnant women with hypovitaminosis D.

Association of vitamin D deficiency and pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is vital for skeletal integrity as well as optimal muscle work. High incidence and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as well as pelvic organ prolapse are found in postmenopausal women, thus raising the question of whether the entities could be related.

METHODS

We compared 50 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 75 years with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with 48 women of same age without POP. The clinical assessment of the disorder was performed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POP-Q). An anamnestic questionnaire was filled out by the participants on their anthropometric data, life habits, reproductive history, previous and actual diseases. A blood sample was collected for determination of 25-OH-vitamin D as well as calcium and phosphorus concentrations.

RESULTS

The group with POP and the control group were comparable in body mass index, physical activity, life habits and general health, but differed significantly in parity (being higher in POP) and vitamin D blood level concentrations, being lower in POP patients. A significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25-OH-vitamin D < 50 nmol/l) was found in the POP group compared to controls. Taking into account the confounding variables the logistic regression model confirmed the significant role of vitamin D for POP.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D deficiency might be an important systemic factor associated to pelvic organ prolapse. The determination of vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women and replenishing its deficiency might also be of importance for the pelvic floor.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on urinary incontinence in older women: ancillary findings from a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Observational studies among older women have associated vitamin D insufficiency with a greater prevalence and incidence of urinary incontinence. However, little is known about the effect of vitamin D supplementation in reducing urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the frequency of urinary incontinence in older women.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted an ancillary study of women aged ≥55 years in the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, a randomized trial with a 2×2 factorial design. Recruitment of participants started from 2011 to 2014 across 50 US states, and the follow-up of participants ended in January 2018. Randomized treatments in the parent study included (1) vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) at a dosage of 2000 IU/d, (2) marine omega-3 fatty acids at a dosage of 1 g/d, and (3) matching placebo. Here, we analyzed women according to their randomization to vitamin D supplementation or placebo, regardless of treatment with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Validated frequency of urinary incontinence questions were added in year 2 of the study and were used again in year 5 at the end of trial. Prespecified ancillary outcomes included the prevalence of urinary incontinence at years 2 and 5, along with incident incontinence and progression of incontinence (from lower to higher frequency) from year 2 to year 5. Preplanned subgroup analyses examined the following outcomes: prerandomization of low serum levels of vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL), incontinence types, weight categories, and African American race.

RESULTS

Among the randomized women who provided urinary incontinence data, 11,646 women at year 2 and 10,527 women at year 5, the mean age was 70 years at year 2, with 29% racial and ethnic minorities. The prevalence of urinary incontinence that occurred at least weekly was 29% at year 2 and increased to 37% at year 5. Vitamin D supplementation compared to with placebo was not associated with lower odds of urinary incontinence occurring at least weekly at year 2 (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.19) or year 5 (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.15). Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo was not associated with lower incidence or progression of urinary incontinence from year 2 to year 5: incidence (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.35) or progression (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.08). Women with prerandomization of low serum levels of vitamin D (n=836) did not have lower odds of the prevalence, incidence, or progression of urinary incontinence. The findings were null in subgroups according to incontinence type, women with obesity, and African American women. Only women with healthy weight randomized to vitamin D had lower odds of progression of urinary incontinence (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.95; P=.01).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo for 2 to 5 years was not associated with differences in the prevalence, incidence, or progression of urinary incontinence in older women with and without adequate serum vitamin D levels, with inconsistent differences among subgroups. The findings showed that the broad use of moderate doses of vitamin D supplementation did not reduce urinary incontinence in older women.

Serum vitamin D levels in females with urinary incontinence: a meta-analysis of observational trials

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The association of vitamin D deficiency with female urinary incontinence is unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review of English and non-English articles was conducted. All observational studies in databases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library Trials Register, and Google Scholar were searched until 5 October 2020. Additional studies were identified by contacting clinical experts and searching the bibliographies and abstracts of the compiled articles. Search terms included urinary incontinence and vitamin D. Article data, including study quality indicators, were independently extracted by two authors using predefined data fields.

RESULTS

Two cohort studies, four case-control studies and five cross-sectional studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Two cohort studies and one cross-sectional study, with a total of 2501 females, were included in the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among the three studies was not observed (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.69). All pooled analyses were based on fixed-effects models. No difference in vitamin D level was observed between the urinary incontinence group and the control group (mean difference 0.07 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.57-0.72, P = 0.81, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis revealed that adult females with urinary incontinence did not have lower serum vitamin D levels than control females.

The Relationship between Vitamin D Level and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women

Objectives:

In the literature, the effects of vitamin D on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been investigated. Conflicting results have been reported in these studies conducted. LUTS is more common in women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and LUTS in female patients using the uroflowmetric method.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included 186 female patients who were admitted with LUTS. Demographic characteristics, medical history, calcium (Ca) and vitamin D, including laboratory studies and uroflowmetry results, as maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), average urine flow rate (Qav) and voided volume (V) were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to age (18-50 and ≥51) and vitamin D levels (<20 and ≥20). Laboratory parameters and uroflowmetry results were compared between groups.

Results:

Mean age was 56.85±12.95 years. Mean vitamin D level was 21.19±13.93 ng/mL (2.5-83.5). Mean Qmax value was 35.41±12.63, whereas the mean Qav was 19.13±9.89, and the mean V was 446.60±165.08 mL. Vitamin D levels differed according to age groups (p=0.044). No significant difference was observed between groups according to Qmax, Qav and V values (p>0.05). No significant correlation was detected between vitamin D level and Qmax, Qav and V values. However, a negative correlation was detected between serum Ca level and V values (p=0.042) in the low vitamin D group.

Conclusion:

There was no direct relationship between vitamin D levels and LUTS in respect to uroflowmetry. However, we determined that Ca levels affect the uroflowmetry parameter in patients with low vitamin D levels. There is a need for further studies emphasizing serum Ca levels in addition to vitamin D levels in patients with LUTS.

Beneficial relevance of vitamin D concentration and urine flow rate

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Micturition dysfunction is a problem in the general population that progresses with aging in both males and females. In the past few decades, the relationship between voiding symptoms and body biochemical status has been a subject of research in several disciplines. Micronutrition is considered to affect different aspects of urinary flow, including neuroregulation, detrusor muscle function, and the structures around the bladder outlet such as the pelvic floor and prostate. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the correlation between urine flow rate (UFR) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the general healthy population.

METHODS

Our study involved 3981 adult participants over age 20 from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets (2011-2012). The associations between UFR and serum 25(OH)D concentration were analyzed through multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with UFR (25(OH)D₂+25(OH)D₃: β coefficient: 0.003; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.004; p < 0.001, 25(OH)D₃; p = 0.003; epi-25(OH)D₃, p = 0.020) in an unadjusted model. The substantial associations were still observed in the gender and age subgroups. In analysis of age subgroup, the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with urine flow rate was significant in fully adjusted model (age<60: 25(OH)D₂+25(OH)D₃: β coefficient: 0.004, p < 0.001; 25(OH)D₃: p = <0.001, epi-25(OH)D₃: p = 0.007; Age≥60: 25(OH)D₂+25(OH)D₃: β coefficient: 0.004, p = 0.002; 25(OH)D₃: p = 0.001, epi-25(OH)D₃: p = 0.001). In gender subgroup analysis, the β coefficient of 25(OH)D₂+25(OH)D₃ in male is 0.004 (p < 0.001), and in female is 0.004 (p < 0.001) in fully adjusted model. The higher quartiles of UFR tended to have higher 25(OH)D₃ levels with statistically significant in quartile-based analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

UFR was associated with increased level of total vitamin D and bioactive form vitamin D₃. Vitamin D supplements may be a simple and effective way of improving of bladder function.

Evaluation of the relationship between vitamin D levels and prevalence of urinary tract infections in children

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with increased health burden among paediatric patients. Vitamin D is known for its immunoregulatory effects, particularly antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between vitamin D levels and UTIs in children referred to a hospital in Khorramabad, Iran. This case–control study was conducted on 258 children aged between 2 and 14 years; 44 children with UTI and 214 healthy children were enrolled. Patients were tested for UTI on the basis of signs and symptoms, and urine culture and analysis. Vitamin D levels were measured in children in both groups. According to the results, the two groups were significantly different in terms of sex (p 0.007). There was no significant difference between the mean vitamin D among the two groups. Vitamin D levels were not related to UTI by multivariate logistic regression. The relationship between the level of vitamin D and the incidence of UTI in children in accordance with age and sex had an odds ratio of 0.99, indicating that for a 1-unit increase in vitamin D, the odds of having a UTI decreased by 1, a correlation which was not statistically significant. According to the findings of this study, no significant correlation was found between UTI and vitamin D levels. However, the prevalence of UTI was higher in girls than boys.

Vitamin D and thiol-disulfide homeostasis levels in postmenopausal women with overactive bladder syndrome

Background

This study aimed to find a relationship between vitamin D concentration and thiol-disulfide homeostasis in the pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Methods

A total of 76 postmenopausal women, referred for routine controls, were recruited between January and March 2018 to participate in this study. Participants with an overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q) score of >11 (n = 34) were included in the OAB syndrome group, while those with a score of <5 (n = 42) were included in the control group. Serum total antioxidant capacity, ischemia-modified albumin, C-reactive protein, 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, and thiol-disulfide homeostasis were measured.

Results

Patients with OAB syndrome had waist circumferences of 106 ± 11 cm, and their body mass indexes (BMIs) were 30.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2. The control groups' waist circumferences were 102 ± 11 cm and their BMIs were 28.9 ± 4.3 kg/m2 (p = 0.069 and p = 0.098, respectively). The level of vitamin D in the control group was 33.7 (IQR: 30.7) nmol/L and 27.0 (IQR: 27.5) nmol/L (p = 0.081) in the OAB syndrome group.

Conclusions

We were not able to demonstrate with certainty any significant relationships between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters and OAB syndrome.