Abstract
Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of
major health problems in childbearing age women. Herein, we compared the
nutritional status of vitamin D, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in young
students affected by PMS with those of normal participants.
Methods: This study was conducted on 62
students aged 20‒25 yr in the city
of Abadan (31 PMS cases and 31 controls). All participants completed four or
more criteria according to the Utah PMS Calendar 3. Age, height, body mass
index (BMI), serum Ca, Mg and vitamin D levels and a 24-hour food recall
questionnaire were recorded.
Results: Vitamin D serum levels were lower than
the normal range in the two groups. The odds ratios (CI 95%) of having PMS
based on serum Ca and Mg concentrations were 0.81(0.67 – 0.89) and 0.86 (0.72 – 0.93), respectively.
Based on serum levels, 855 of all participants showed vitamin D deficiency and more than one-third
of the PMS cases were Mg deficient (P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in
dietary intake of Ca and Mg, and potassium but not vitamin D in the two groups.
Dietary intakes of Ca and Mg were quite below the recommendation in all
participants.
Conclusion: Vitamin
D, Ca and Mg nutritional status are compromised in PMS subjects. Because PMS is
a prevalent health problem among young women, it merits more attention
regarding improvement of their health and nutritional status.