Relation of vitamin D blood concentration with muscle mass and cognitive function in postmenopausal women

Introduction: Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with muscle mass loss and cognitive function alteration. Objective: To find out the relationship of vitamin D blood levels with muscle mass and cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: Ninety-nine postmenopausal women aged >= 50 years were studied. Calf circumference, and tricipital, bicipital, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds were measured. Arm muscle area, bone-free arm muscle area, and total muscle mass were calculated. The short physical performance battery (SPPB) was performed, and the sarcopenia rapid diagnostic questionnaire (SARC-F), as well as the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied. A blood sample was taken to measure vitamin D blood concentration. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney's U-test and Spearman's correlation analysis were used. Results: It was found that, the older the age, the higher the vitamin D levels, as well as higher SARC-F score. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with grip strength SPP and the MMSE total score. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and MMSE global score. Conclusions: Vitamin D did not have a positive influence on muscle mass. A better MMSE performance was observed in those with lower vitamin D levels.