THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION ON BONE HEALTH AMONG ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

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Authors
Cervantes, Carlos H.
Subjects
cancer
vitamin D
calcium
D3
supplementation
control group
treatment group
cohort
case-control
leukemia
children
adults
meta-analysis
bone mineral density
calcitriol
25(OH)D
BMD
BMI
oncology
systematic review
observational studies
randomized control trial
bias
Revman
GRADEpro
Newcastle-Ottawa
placebo
non-randomized
intervention
Advisors
Anglemyer, Andrew T.
Date of Issue
2018-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
We performed a meta-analysis of all published data regarding the possible benefits of vitamin D and/or calcium supplementation for increasing bone mineral density (BMD) in cancer patients. Currently, there is no medical community consensus as to whether vitamin D and/or calcium affects bone health among cancer patients enough to offset the effects of chemotherapy. The Department of Defense’s drug formulary, managed by the Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutics (P&T) committee, states that insurance does not cover multivitamin/multimineral supplements. The lack of coverage and consensus leaves patients in the dark about a potential benefit to a treatable disease. Therefore, we assessed the known research to offer more clarity to the committee. The thesis weighs evidence with a “pooled” effect, or weighted average, known as meta-analysis, and assessed risk of bias and quality of evidence via GRADEpro software. Of over 700 possible studies, 14 met our inclusion criteria, including four randomized control trial (RCT) and 10 observational studies. One RCT (with an outcome on 25(OH)D levels) and three observational studies found significant evidence of supplementation’s benefits, while the rest showed no significant findings. While overall we determined there was no significant benefit, we offer a solid base of understanding to the committee and recommend further research.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
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Funder
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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