Melanoma 2.1 X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis

The Association Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Risk and Prognosis of Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2020 Jan 9, DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16189

Tsung-Yu Tsai 1, Che-Yuan Kuo 2, Yu-Chen Huang 1 3

Background: Vitamin D has antineoplastic effects, but the synthesis of vitamin D requires ultraviolet radiation, a known risk factor for melanoma.

Objective: To investigate the correlations between serum vitamin D levels and risk and prognosis of melanoma.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Online databases were searched on Oct 31, 2018.

Results: Twenty-five studies with a total of 11166 patients with melanoma were included. There was no significant difference in serum vitamin D levels between patients with melanoma and controls (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.185; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.533-0.162). However, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with melanoma than that in controls (odds ratio, 2.115 ; 95% CI, 1.151-3.885). In terms of prognosis, serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in melanoma patients with lower Breslow thickness (≦ 1 mm vs > 1 mm: SMD, 0.243; 95% CI, 0.160-0.327).

Moreover, melanoma patients with lower vitamin D levels had a significantly higher mortality rate (hazard ratio, 1.558 ; 95% CI, 1.258-1.931).

Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher Breslow thickness and mortality in melanoma patients.

Vitamin D Life pages with MELANOMA in title (41 as of Jan 2022)

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