Endocrine Abstracts

Aim of the study: Functional disorders might be caused by micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of our study is to screen the micronutrient deficiencies of postmenopausal diabetic women and determine their impact on the functional disorders.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study made within the National Institute of Nutrition of Tunis, including 55 postmenopausal diabetic women which benefited from a dietary survey. Functional disorders were detected by the Screening of Micronutrient deficiency (DDM) questionnaire that allows to classify these disorders and evaluate the different disruptions.

Key findings and Results: The average age of our patients is of 63.7±6.5 years old. The dietary survey showed an insufficiency intake of vitamins A, D, C, E, B6, B9, and B12 for respectively 35%, 60%, 38%, 49%, 53%, 34% and 52% of cases. Additionally, insufficiencies of magnesium, iron and zinc intake were observed, for respectively, 49%, 40% and 64% of cases. We found negative and statistically significant correlations between fatigue, mood disorders and vitamin C (r=-0.297, P=0.028), magnesium (r=-0.441, P=0.01), and iron (r=-0.458, P <0.01), between digestives troubles and fiber intake (r=-0.458, P <0.01), between osteoarticular disorders and degenerative diseases and vitamin A intake (r=-0.422, P=0.01) as well as manganese (r=-0.287, P=0.03), and finally between circulatory system diseases and vitamin C (r=-0.294, P=0.03).

Discussion: A suitable micronutrient approach for each of our patients is mandatory to maintain an optimal health and correct the functional disorders.