Associations Between Cholecalciferol Supplementation and Self-Reported Symptoms Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Pilot Study.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the potential effect of cholecalciferol supplementation to reduce symptom burden for women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).


SAMPLE &AMP; SETTING
11 clinically stable women with estrogen receptor-positive MBC were recruited from a single cancer center for this phase 1, nonrandomized study (NCT02186015).


METHODS &AMP; VARIABLES
Women with insufficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels qualified to receive high-dose repletion therapy. Clinical and questionnaire data on common symptoms and quality of life were obtained prior to and following supplementation.


RESULTS
Serum 25(OH)D increased significantly pre- versus postintervention. Trends for improvements in endocrine symptoms, bone pain, and fatigue were observed following the intervention.


IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
Women achieved normal serum 25(OH)D levels after eight weeks of supplementation and reported reduced symptom burden. Vitamin D may be a low-cost supportive care therapy; however, future studies should be considered.
['Maureen Sheean|Patricia|P|', 'Robinson|Patricia|P|', 'Bartolotta|Mary Beth|MB|', 'Joyce|Cara|C|', 'Adams|William|W|', 'Penckofer|Sue|S|']
D001943:Breast Neoplasms D002762:Cholecalciferol D019587:Dietary Supplements D005260:Female D006801:Humans D010865:Pilot Projects D011788:Quality of Life D057566:Self Report D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency
cholecalciferol metastatic breast cancer vitamin D pilot study