Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors predictive of vitamin D deficiency in patients with malignancy in Brisbane, Australia (latitude 27° S).
Methods
This is a prospective cross-sectional study measuring serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in 100 subjects with non-haematological cancer at least 18 years of age not taking vitamin D supplements attending a day oncology unit and oncology/palliative care inpatient ward in Brisbane, Australia.
Results
Thirty-seven per cent of outpatient and 49 % of inpatient subjects respectively were vitamin D deficient. Functional status was predictive of low vitamin D levels.
Conclusion
There was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with cancer in Brisbane, Australia.
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Conflict of interest
No funding was received for this study. The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow Supportive Care in Cancer to review the data if requested.
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Morton, A., Hardy, J., Morton, A. et al. Vitamin D deficiency in patients with malignancy in Brisbane. Support Care Cancer 22, 2223–2227 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2218-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2218-z