Pregnancy-specific association of vitamin D deficiency and bacterial vaginosis.
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hensel
Katherine J
KJ
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Randis
Tara M
TM
Gelber
Shari E
SE
Ratner
Adam J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000009:adverse effects; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral