Serum 25 OH vitamin D concentrations and calcium intake are low in patients with prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate dietary calcium intake (DCI) and vitamin D serum concentrations in patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 91 subjects with prostate cancer. We determined DCI by a questionnaire, 25 OH vitamin D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results: According to current guidelines (1000 mg/day), calcium intake was low in patients with prostate cancer (394±201 mg/day). Twenty-two percent (20) of patients had adequate levels of vitamin D, whereas 29.7% (27) of patients were vitamin D deficient and 48.3% (44) were classified as vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D levels were not different in patients with or without androgen-deprivation therapy. There were no correlation between DCI, 25 OH vitamin and BMD.

Conclusions: In summary, in our group of prostate cancer patients DCI was low and vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent. Although this is a common condition in other populations, in this group of patients especially prone to osteoporosis could have more relevance. Additional research is needed to establish the consequences of low calcium intake and vitamin D deficiency in prostate cancer patients.