Evaluation of vitamin D levels in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: An observational cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim of our study was to compare plasma vitamin D levels between patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and healthy population, and also to investigate the effects of socio-demographic and clinical factors and lymphedema severity on vitamin D levels. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with BCRL [mean age 55.5 +/- 8.9 (36-81)] and age- and sex-matched 80 healthy controls [mean age 53.7 +/- 7.4 (32-70)] who were not on calcium or vitamin D supplementation were included in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects were questioned. Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and parathormone (PTH) levels were evaluated. Lymphedema was classified as stage 0, I, II, or III. Results: The mean duration of lymphedema was 23.5 +/- 13.8 months. Comparisons revealed lower vitamin D levels and higher PTH and ALP levels in patients with BCRL than healthy controls. As a result of multivariate regression analysis, a significant relationship was revealed between vitamin D levels and age, breast cancer stage, and disease duration in patients with BCRL. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower and PTH levels were significantly higher in stage 3 lymphedema patients compared to stage 1. Conclusion: Vitamin D levels were detected lower in patients with lymphedema than healthy controls. Although vitamin D levels were found to be lower in patients with severe lymphedema, the multivariate regression analysis revealed that the severity of lymphedema does not have a significant effect on vitamin D levels.