Pregnancy-specific association of vitamin D deficiency and bacterial vaginosis.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Sep 29.
Hensel KJ, Randis TM, Gelber SE, Ratner AJ.
Department of Pediatrics, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY.
OBJECTIVE: Recent data suggest vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy.
We hypothesized that VDD is a risk factor for BV in nonpregnant women.
STUDY DESIGN: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses stratified by pregnancy.
RESULTS: VDD was associated with BV only in pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-7.28).
Among nonpregnant women,
douching (AOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.25-2.37),
smoking (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.23-2.24), and
black race (AOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.67-3.47) were associated with BV;
oral contraceptive use was inversely associated with BV (AOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40-0.90).
VDD moderated the association between smoking and BV in nonpregnant women.
CONCLUSION: Risk factors for BV differ by pregnancy status.
VDD was a modifiable risk factor for BV among pregnant women; evaluation of vitamin D supplementation for prevention or adjunct therapy of BV in pregnancy is warranted.
PMID: 20887971