Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Slovak women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relation to metabolic and reproductive abnormalities

The study examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in 99 Slovak women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its association with metabolic and reproductive abnormalities, compared to 66 controls. It found no significant difference in vitamin D levels between the two groups, with 80% of PCOS patients and 70% of controls being deficient. Vitamin D deficiency in PCOS patients was linked to higher BMI, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance, but not to serum androgen levels or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). While vitamin D deficiency was common among the PCOS group and associated with certain metabolic issues, the study concluded that metabolic abnormalities in PCOS women are more likely related to PCOS itself rather than to vitamin D deficiency. The study suggests further research to clarify the role of vitamin D in PCOS-related metabolic disturbances.