A STUDY ON ROLE OF VITAMIN D LEVELS IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED BONE LOSS

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women across the globe, and Chemotherapy-Induced Bone Loss (CIBL), being one of the significant complications, further debilitates the quality of life of patients. Vitamin D is skeletal in mineralization and calcium homeostasis, but the relationship between Vitamin D levels in chemotherapy-related skeletal effect is still underexplored. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital. Serum Vitamin D levels were assessed and compared with BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck measured by utilizing DEXA scan. Statistical analysis was done to analyze Vitamin D level and BMD correlation. Results: It was found in the study that 65% of the patients had Vitamin D deficiency, while 25% were deemed insufficient. Medium strength positive correlation existed between Vitamin D and BMD in lumbar spine (r = +0.46, p < 0.01) and femoral neck (r = +0.42, p < 0.05). Those classified as sufficient for Vitamin D had significantly higher mean BMD values than those who were deficient. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy have a very high rate of Vitamin D deficiency that is significantly associated with reduced bone density. Therefore, regular monitoring of Vitamin D levels and the dispensing of Vitamin D will need to be considered, so as to prevent chemotherapy-induced bone loss and to improve the outcome on bone health in the long term in this group. Keywords: Breast cancer, Vitamin D, Chemotherapy-induced bone loss, Bone mineral density, Osteoporosis