Systemic markers of collagen metabolism and vitamin C in smokers and non-smokers with pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate systemic markers of collagen metabolism and vitamin C in female smokers with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Secondary aims were to compare these levels in women based on prolapse or smoking history alone.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study with four groups: smokers with POP, non-smokers with POP, smokers without POP and non-smokers without POP. Subjects were age-matched based on smoking history and presence of POP. All underwent a fasting blood panel, including plasma procollagen 1-N propeptide (P1NP), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and vitamin C.

Results: Ninety-six subjects were enrolled. There were no differences for any demographics other than stage of prolapse, which was highest in non-smokers with POP. Significant variations in the levels of vitamin C and MMP-9 were noted among the four groups. Smokers with POP had lower levels of vitamin C and higher levels of MMP-9, compared to non-smokers with POP, but this relationship was not statistically significant. However, when contrasting smokers without POP to non-smokers without POP, significant differences in both vitamin C and MMP-9 were documented, confirming an impact of smoking on these markers. Notwithstanding, when evaluated independent of smoking status, vitamin C and MMP-9 levels in women with POP were similar to those of women without POP.

Conclusion: Lower vitamin C and higher MMP-9 among smokers confirms the usefulness of such markers in documenting the smoking's impact on collagen. However, the lack of a difference based on POP suggests these are poor measures for understanding the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Keywords: Collagen metabolism; Pelvic organ prolapse; Smoking.