Medical & Surgical Urology
Open Access

Abstract

Does an Inverse Correlation Exist between Vitamin D as Measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PSA in Veterans with Prostate Cancer

Nancy Vander Velde, Krishnarao Moparty, Lizheng Shi and Hui Sha

Objective: Several observational and epidemiological studies have suggested that the incidence of prostate cancer seems to be lower in relation to ultraviolet light exposure and distance from the equator, which has led to theories that vitamin D may play a role in the prevention of cancer. This study seeks to determine if a correlation exists between vitamin D levels in the serum as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D and serum PSA in male veterans with prostate cancer.

Methods: Veterans with prostate cancer seen in the urology or oncology clinic at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Affairs Healthcare system were identified using ICD 9 codes. After informed consent, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and PSA were drawn. 119 patients were enrolled on the study from 1/16/13 to 11/15/13. Demographic data such as age, ethnicity, cancer stage, use of vitamin D supplements, gleason score, and treatment were examined. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed.

Results: 91 patients self-identified as African American (61 of these had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D values and 30 had normal values), 27 self-identified as White, (15 low 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 12 normal), and one self-identified as other who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the normal range. The mean age of the veteran population was 66.27 years, and 38.66% (46) of them have undergone prostatectomy. There were 24 patients (20.17%) taking vitamin D supplements at the time of study. We conducted correlation analysis on both whole sample and multiple subgroups. We found the correlation coefficient for vitamin D and PSA in the subgroup of veterans with high PSAs and no prostatectomy was -0.38 (p=0.133).

Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PSA in veterans with prostate cancer. There was a trend for correlation in the subgroup of veterans with high PSAs who did not undergo prostatectomy.