The correlation between vitamin D, glucose homeostasis and androgen level among polycystic ovary syndrome patients: a cross-sectional study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 290 women with PCOS participated in this cross-sectional study. Glucose homeostasis was assessed by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and the concentration of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D was determined among all subjects. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was taken as the indicator of insulin resistance. Beta cell function was estimated using the insulinogenic index and the disposition index. Free androgen index (FAI) was used to represent the androgen level.

RESULTS

In our study, 7.2% of the patients had Vit D severe deficiency, 75.2% had Vit D deficiency and 15.5% had vit D insufficiency. The level of serum 25(OH)D showed a significant positive association with insulinogenic index ( = 0.147,  < .05), disposition index ( = 0.280,  < .05), and SHBG ( = 0.178,  < .05) but exhibited a negative association with HOMA-IR ( = -0.198,  < .05), FAI ( = -0.178,  < .05). Adjusted age and BMI, 25(OH)D would be the dependent variable on disposition index [ = 0.259, 95%CI(0.041,0.477)] and FAI [B = -0.125, 95%CI(-0.232, -0.017)].

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, the low levels of serum 25(OH)D were common in women with PCOS, which was speculated to be associated with glucose homeostasis and the androgen level.