Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in cancer patients and correlates with advanced stage disease: a community oncology experience

Nutr Cancer. 2012;64(4):521-5. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2012.661515. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to correlate serum vitamin D levels with potential clinical variables and to determine the extent of vitamin D deficiency in a large, outpatient oncology practice. One hundred ninety-five consecutive patients referred for consultation at a community radiation oncology center from October 8, 2008 to March 17, 2010 had vitamin D levels ordered. Patients who were deficient in vitamin D were treated with replacement therapy. Demographic and medical data were collected prospectively and subsequently analyzed. Pretreatment baseline patient and tumor characteristics were evaluated with respect to vitamin D concentrations. One hundred and sixty patients were analyzed. A total of 74% of patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations considered either deficient (<20 ng/mL) or suboptimal (20-30 ng/mL). Replacement therapy raised serum vitamin D levels by an average of 15 ng/mL (95% CI = 11-18, P < 0.01). Lower than median serum vitamin D levels were associated with stage III disease in univariate analysis [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = 1.1-6.2), p = 0.04] as well as multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and season of draw [OR = 3.3 (95% CI = 1.1-9.7), P = 0.03]. Three-quarters of patients in our series had suboptimal or deficient circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Low serum vitamin D levels, independent of age, sex, and body mass index, predicted advanced stage disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasms / blood*
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Pennsylvania / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vitamin D