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Pre-Clinical Studies

Vitamin D status among long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 46, pages 1472–1479 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Little is known about serum vitamin D levels following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Patients are instructed to avoid sun exposure because of an increased risk of skin cancers. Altered gastrointestinal absorptive capacity as a result of GVHD, bile acid or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency or bacterial overgrowth may lead to difficulty in absorbing the fat-soluble vitamin D. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency, and factors associated with 25(OH)D deficiency, among children and adults who were at least 1 year following HCT. A total of 95 participants (54 males and 41 females) completed a questionnaire on usual diet and lifestyle, and provided a blood sample for 25(OH)D determinations between November 2008 and July 2009. The majority of participants had serum 25(OH)D levels ⩾75 nmol/L (n=62, 65%), 23 had insufficient levels (50–75 nmol/L) and 10 participants were deficient (<50 nmol/L). The majority of participants reported regular use of vitamin D supplements (n=58, 61%). Prednisone use was significantly inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Total vitamin D intake was the strongest single predictor of 25(OH)D concentrations. These findings suggest that 400–600 IU vitamin D per day appears to be required to achieve optimal serum 25(OH)D concentrations following HCT.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Roberta Nicklow, RN for her assistance in initiating this study, and Todd DeFor, MS for abstraction of relevant data from the University of Minnesota clinical HCT database. The National Cancer Institute (R21 CA135180) and The Children's Cancer Research Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    K Robien, L G Strayer & D Lazovich

  2. Hematology Oncology Transplant Program, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    N Majhail & L J Burns

  3. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    A R Smith & D A Mulrooney

  4. Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Research Program, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    K Robien & D A Mulrooney

  5. Prevention and Etiology Program, , Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    K Robien, D Lazovich & D A Mulrooney

  6. Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    N Majhail & L J Burns

  7. Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    K S Baker

  8. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    K S Baker

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  1. K Robien
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Correspondence to K Robien.

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Robien, K., Strayer, L., Majhail, N. et al. Vitamin D status among long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 46, 1472–1479 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2010.326

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2010.326

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