| Preliminary Report: Vitamin D Deficiency in Advanced Cancer Patients with Symptoms of Fatigue or Anorexia. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21964001 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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AbstractBackground. Vitamin D deficiency in noncancer patients is associated with symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and depression. These symptoms are common among advanced cancer patients. We investigated the prevalence of low serum vitamin D levels in cancer patients with fatigue or poor appetite and their association with symptom burden and other correctable endocrine abnormalities.Methods. This was a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cancer patients with appetite or fatigue scores of ≥4 of 10 referred to a supportive care clinic. We investigated serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D, cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and bioavailable testosterone. Symptoms were measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D <20 ng/mL was considered deficient; ≥20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL were considered insufficient.Results. Patients were predominantly male (68%) and white (66%), with a median age of 60 years (range, 27-91 years). Gastrointestinal (30%) and lung (22%) cancers were predominant. Forty-seven patients (47%) were vitamin D deficient and 70 (70%) were insufficient. Thirteen of 70 patients (19%) with vitamin D insufficiency were on supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency was more common among nonwhites (82% versus 36%) and females. No significant association was found between vitamin D and symptoms. Hypogonadic males had a significantly lower mean 25(OH) vitamin D level than eugonadic males.Conclusions. Low vitamin D levels were highly prevalent among advanced cancer patients with cachexia or fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent among nonwhite and female patients. Vitamin D levels were also significantly lower in male patients with hypogonadism. |
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Authors:
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Rony Dev; Egidio Del Fabbro; Gary G Schwartz; David Hui; Shana L Palla; Noah Gutierrez; Eduardo Bruera |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-9-30 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The oncologist Volume: - ISSN: 1549-490X ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-10-3 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9607837 Medline TA: Oncologist Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine and. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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