Assessment of the Relationship of Anthropometric Indices With Vitamin D, Zinc, and Fasting Blood Sugar Levels in Women With and Without Infection Following Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Case-Control Study

It is necessary to prevent postoperative infection following abdominal hysterectomy. The present study aimed to assess the relationship of anthropometric indices with vitamin D, zinc (Zn), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels in women with and without infection following abdominal hysterectomy in order to determine the exact effects of these factors on infection.

This case-control study was conducted in three teaching hospitals affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in an 18-month period leading up to 2020. The participants consisted of 90 women who were candidates for abdominal hysterectomy. Anthropometric indices and vitamin D, Zn, and FBS levels were measured before the surgery. These factors were compared in the two groups of women with and without infection using the independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient, and P<0.05 was statistically significant.

No significant relationship was found between vitamin D, Zn, and FBS levels and anthropometric indices except for body mass index (BMI) that had a significant negative relationship with vitamin D blood levels (r = -0.20 and P = 0.043) while a significant positive relationship with FBS levels (r= +30 and P = 0.036) in infected patients. Therefore, patients with a higher BMI showed lower vitamin D whereas higher FBS levels in the group with infection.

In general, vitamin D levels decreased and FBS levels increased by an increase in the BMI. These factors altogether increased the risk of postoperative infection following abdominal hysterectomy.