Vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between vitamin D (VD) deficiency and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women. Study design Observational, cross-sectional cohort study. Main outcome measures In this study, 463 women, aged 45–75 years, with amenorrhea >12 months, without VD supplementation or established cardiovascular disease were included. Clinical and anthropometric data were collected. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH)D] were measured. Women meeting three or more of the following criteria were diagnosed with MetS: waist circumference >88 cm, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, HDL Results Serum 25(OH)D levels were sufficient in 148 women (32.0%), insufficient in 151 (32.6%) and deficient in 164 (35.4%). Women with low 25(OH)D levels had higher TC, triglycerides, insulin and HOMA-IR levels (p  Conclusions VD deficiency in postmenopausal women was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS. Women with VD deficiency had a higher risk of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL than those with adequate levels.