A case control study to determine the frequency of vitamin d deficiency in carcinoma breast in females of local population of Rawalpindi and Islamabad area.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in breast carcinoma cases. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, between February and December 2024, and comprised females aged 20-75 years newly diagnosed with breast carcinoma in group A and age-matched healthy controls in group B. Sociodemographic data and clinical history were obtained, and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were tested using electrochemiluminescense immunoassay. Deficiency in vitamin D was considered serum level <25nmol/L. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 142 female subjects, 71(50%) were in group A with mean age 46.9±16.3 years, and 71(50%) were in group B with mean age 42.4±15.9 years (p=0.797). Vitamin D levels were also lower in group A patients compared to those in group B (p<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 33(46.5%) cases compared to 5(7%) controls, with supplement use being less among the cases 11(15.5%) compared to the controls 28(39.4% (p=0.001). There was a high level of correlation between vitamin D deficiency and positive family history of breast carcinoma (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Deficiency of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D contributed to the higher risk of breast carcinoma, while vitamin D supplements had preventive benefits.