Fecal incontinence 2.8 X more likely with low vitamin D – May 2014

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased fecal incontinence symptoms.

Int Urogynecol J. 2014 May 8. [Epub ahead of print]
Parker-Autry CY1, Gleason JL, Griffin RL, Markland AD, Richter HE.
1 Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA, cparkera at wakehealth.edu.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS:
Vitamin D is an important micronutrient in muscle function. We hypothesize that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to fecal incontinence (FI) symptoms by affecting the anal continence mechanism. Our goal was to characterize the association of vitamin D deficiency as a variable affecting FI symptoms and its impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).

METHODS:
This case-control study assessed women seen at a tertiary-care referral center. Participants were identified as having had a serum vitamin D level obtained within a year of their visit: cases were women presenting for care for FI symptoms; controls were women without any pelvic floor symptoms presenting to the same clinical site for general gynecologic care. Cases completed the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire (MMHQ) and the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index to measure symptom severity and burden on QoL.

RESULTS:
Among the 31 cases and 81 controls, no demographic or medical differences existed. Women with FI had lower vitamin D levels (mean 29.2 ± 12.3 cases vs. 35 ± 14.1 ng/ml controls p = 0.04). The odds of vitamin D deficiency were higher in women with FI compared with controls [odds ratio (OR) 2.77, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.08-7.09]. Among cases, women with vitamin D deficiency (35 %) had higher MMHQ scores, indicating greater FI symptom burden [51.3 ± 29.3 (vitamin D deficient) vs. 30 ± 19.5 (vitamin D sufficiency), p = 0.02]. No differences were noted for FI severity, p = 0.07.

CONCLUSIONS:
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in women with fecal incontinence and may contribute to patient symptom burden.

PMID: 24807423

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Note: there have been many previous hints of this association.
It might be due to poor muscle control with low vitamin D

See also VitaminDWiki

• Pelvic floor muscle strength is low after giving birth if vitamin D deficient – March 2015
• Elderly lower limb muscle strength improved with Vitamin D supplementation - Meta-analysis Oct 2013
• Muscles and Vitamin D - many studies
• Vitamin D and urinary incontinence - many studies
• 2X less urinary incontinence in senior women when vitamin D greater than 30 ng– April 2010
• Pelvic floor disorder strongly associated with lower vitamin D – March 2012
• Google Search for Pelvic Floor in VitaminDWiki 10 items as of May 2014
• Overview Sports and vitamin D has the following summary

Athletes are helped by vitamin D by:

1. Faster reaction time
2. Far fewer colds/flus during the winter
3. Less sore/tired after a workout
4. Fewer micro-cracks and broken bones
5. Bones which do break heal much more quickly
6. Increased VO2 and exercise endurance Feb 2011
7. Indoor athletes especially need vitamin D
8. Professional indoor athletes are starting to take vitamin D and/or use UV beds
9. Olympic athletes have used UV/vitamin D since the 1930's
10. The biggest gain from the use of vitamin D is by those who exercise less than 2 hours per day.
11. Reduced muscle fatigue with 10,000 IU vitamin D daily
12. Muscle strength improved when vitamin D added: 3 Meta-analysis
13. Reduced Concussions
    See also: Sports and Vitamin D category 282 items