Effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, joint pain, and fatigue in women starting adjuvant letrozole treatment for breast cancer

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency may contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms and bone loss observed in women taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D levels in women initiating adjuvant letrozole for breast cancer and to determine whether supplementation with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly could reduce musculoskeletal symptoms and fatigue in women who have suboptimal vitamin D levels. Sixty women about to begin an adjuvant AI were enrolled. Baseline 25OHD levels were obtained, and women completed symptom questionnaires. They were then started on letrozole, along with standard dose calcium and vitamin D. Four weeks later, women with baseline 25OHD levels </=40 ng/ml started additional vitamin D3 supplementation at 50,000 IU per week for 12 weeks. 25OHD levels were re-assessed at 4, 10, and 16 weeks; the questionnaires were repeated at weeks 4 and 16. At baseline, 63% of women exhibited vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) or insufficiency (20-31 ng/ml). 25OHD levels >40 ng/ml were achieved in all 42 subjects who received 12 weeks of supplementation with 50,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly, with no adverse effects. After 16 weeks of letrozole, more women with 25OHD levels >66 ng/ml (median level) reported no disability from joint pain than did women with levels <66 ng/ml (52 vs. 19%; P = 0.026). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent in post-menopausal women initiating adjuvant AI. Vitamin D3 supplementation with 50,000 IU per week is safe, significantly increases 25OHD levels, and may reduce disability from AI-induced arthralgias.

Fig. 1

Frequency distribution of subjects with serum 25OHD below specific levels. Levels of 25OHD were lower during the winter (filled square) than during the summer (filled circle)

Fig. 2

Increase in serum levels of 25OHD between baseline and 16 weeks for women who received 50,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly supplementation (solid symbols) versus no increase for women who received only standard dose vitamin D and calcium (open symbols). The line represents no change in 25OHD levels; thus points above the line reflect an increase

Fig. 3

Decrease in disability from joint pain as assessed by HAQII scores between baseline and 16 weeks for women who received 50,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly supplementation (solid symbols) versus no change for women who received only standard dose vitamin D and calcium (open symbols). The line represents no change in HAQII scores; thus points below the line reflect a decrease, or a reduction in disability from joint pain