CAN THE COMBINATION OF HYPOVITAMINOSIS D AND OVERWEIGHT EXERT AN ADDITIVE NEGATIVE EFFECT ON MUSCLE FUNCTION IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN?

Introduction/Background Recent studies showed that hypovitaminosis D and obesity are strictly correlated and might adversely affect the musculoskeletal function. The aim of our study was to prove if the combination of hypovitaminosis D and overweight could exert an additive negative effect on muscle function in post-menopausal women. Material and Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from postmenopausal women, defining as hypovitaminosis D serum levels of 25(OH)D3<30ng/ml and as overweight women with a BMI of 25-29.9kg/m2. We divided the population into 4 groups: group 1, normoweight with hypovitaminosis D; group 2, overweight with normal levels of 25(OH)D3; group 3, overweight with hypovitaminosis D; group 4, normoweight with normal levels of 25(OH)D3, considered as controls. We assessed: muscle strength, using Hand Grip Strength (HGS) and physical performance, with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Results We divided 368 women of 67.2 ± 7.7 years in the 4 groups: 95 in group 1; 90 in group 2; 96 in group 3; 87 in group 4. Overweight and normowight women with hypovitaminosis D had a significantly increased risk of impairment in muscle strength (HGS<16kg) (OR 6.56, p<0.001 and OR 6.68, p<0.001, respectively) and performance (SPPB≤8) (OR 5.58, p<0.001 and OR 3.90, p<0.001, respectively) compared to controls. Conclusion In our cohort of post-menopausal women, the hypovitaminosis D was associated with a higher risk of muscle function deficit, but the combination with overweight lead to a higher risk of having an impairment of physical performance.