Vitamin D deficiency in patients with malignancy in Brisbane.

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.