Vitamin D levels in postmenopausal female medical staff and its influencing factors

Objective To analyze the levels of vitamin D in postmenopausal female medical staff and its influencing factors.

Methods A total of 169 female medical staff aged 40 to 55 years were selected as the study subjects. The subjects' basic information, menstrual status, past medical history, lifestyle, vitamin D supplementation and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) were investigated by questionnaire. Serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-producing hormone (FSH) and estrogen (E₂) were measured. The influencing factors of vitamin D deficiency were analyzed.

Results The median age of participants was 47(43, 51) years; there were 106 cases in late reproductive period, 34 cases in menopausal transition period and 29 cases in early postmenopausal period. The average level of serum 25(OH)D was 11.4(9.3, 15.7) ng/mL. Serum 25(OH)D level was normal in 17 cases (10.06%), insufficient in 57 cases (33.73%), and deficient in 95 cases (56.21%). One hundred and seventeen cases received no sunshine daily (69.23%), 49 cases (28.99%) received less than 0.5 h of sunshine daily, and 3 cases (1.78%) received 0.5 h or more sunshine daily. Never supplemented with vitamin D (OR=2.317; 95%CI, 1.198 to 4.482; P < 0.05) and never receiving MHT (OR=2.522; 95%CI, 1.141 to 5.573; P < 0.05) were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal female medical staff.

Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is common among postmenopausal female medical staff, and these people should increase outdoor activities and supplement vitamin D.