Vitamin d deficiency in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are at an increased risk for decreased bone density and fractures. Given the role vitamin D plays in bone metabolism, we examined the prevalence of and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in a study of postmenopausal BCS on AIs.

We collected data on 391 postmenopausal women with stage I-III breast cancer on AI therapy. Vitamin D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay from patients' sera; deficiency was defined as a level < 30 ng/mL. Multivariate models were created to assess risk factors for deficiency.

The median vitamin D level was 35 ng/mL (range 6.78-93.15), and 35% of women were vitamin D deficient. When adjusting for age and vitamin D supplementation, minority participants were more likely to be vitamin D deficient than white women, (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.22-3.89, p=0.009). Both overweight (AOR 3.05, 95% CI 1.72-5.41, p<0.001) and obese participants (AOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.79-5.78, p<0.001) had higher deficiency rates than did normal weight participants.

Hypovitaminosis D is common in BCS, and those who are nonwhite or overweight are at a higher risk of deficiency despite taking vitamin D supplements.