Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients on active therapy for multiple myeloma in a tropical climate. We also tested for the association of vitamin D status on clinical outcomes.
Methods
This was a single centre, observational study performed in Townsville, Australia, which has a sunlight heavy, tropical climate. Patients on active therapy for multiple myeloma underwent testing of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Information on disease stage, skeletal morbidity and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were collected from medical records and self-reported patient questionnaires.
Results
A total of 41 patients were included. With a median disease duration of 38 months, 27% were found to be vitamin D deficient. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had a higher likelihood of peripheral neuropathy compared with their non-vitamin D counterparts (73% vs. 33%, P = 0.03). Although those with vitamin D deficiency had more skeletal morbidity, this was not statistically significant (73% vs 50%, P = 0.19). Reduced 25(OH) D was associated with a poor performance status (P = 0.003). There was no association between vitamin D status and stage of myeloma.
Conclusion
There is a relatively high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with myeloma in our study. This is despite a sunlight heavy, tropical climate. We report an association between vitamin D deficiency and peripheral neuropathy. Prospective interventional trials are required to further assess this.
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Funded by the Townsville Cancer Centre.
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The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HREC/17/QTHS/234).
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Nath, K., Ganeshalingam, V., Ewart, B. et al. A retrospective analysis of the prevalence and clinical outcomes of vitamin D deficiency in myeloma patients in tropical Australia. Support Care Cancer 28, 1249–1254 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04942-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04942-7