The effect of cholecystectomy on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Unlabelled: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Little is known on the potentially deleterious effect of cholecystectomy on vitamin D levels and osteoporosis. We found that 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density were lower in patients with prior cholecystectomy.

Purpose: The influence of bile salts on vitamin D absorption is well-known, and increased incidence of vitamin D deficiency has been reported in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Little is known on the potentially deleterious effect of cholecystectomy on vitamin D levels and osteoporosis. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of cholecystectomy on vitamin D levels and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Methods: The study group comprised 50 postmenopausal women who had previously undergone cholecystectomy; the control group comprised 50 age-matched postmenopausal women. Serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels were determined. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results: The study group had significantly higher parathyroid hormone levels (94.4 ± 45.1 vs. 69.2 ± 37.5, p < 0.001) but significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (16.3 ± 7.6 vs. 19.8 ± 8.7, p = 0.03). Compared with the control group, the BMDs of both the lumbar spine (- 1.5 ± 1.0 vs. - 0.9 ± 1.0, p = 0.004) and femur (- 0.5 ± 0.8 vs. 0.19 ± 1.1, p = 0.001) were significantly lower in the study group. Body mass index [B = 0.81 (CI 0.67-0.98), p = 0.03] and prior cholecystectomy [B = 7.9 (CI 1.0-71.7), p = 0.04] were independent predictors of osteoporosis.

Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, prior cholecystectomy is associated with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and BMD.