Low plasma vitamin D is associated with adverse colorectal cancer survival after surgical resection, independent of systemic inflammatory response

Study answer

What this study found

Postoperative 25OHD falls (mean reduction ~17.3 nmol/L; nadir 1–2 days) with CRP peaking at 3–5 days; the 25OHD decline is independent of CRP. In two cohorts, higher May-adjusted 25OHD after surgery associated with lower CRC-specific mortality (HR ~0.66–0.69) and lower all-cause mortality (HR ~0.63–0.65), independent of CRP and sampling time. A genotype interaction showed strongest benefit in rs11568820 GG individuals (HR ~0.51). An online survival tool incorporating 25OHD demonstrated AUC ~0.77. Meta-analysis confirmed associations (CRC-specific HR ~0.69; all-cause HR ~0.68). Conclusion:…

Study & population

Serial perioperative measurements in 92 adults with colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection (mean age 67.1 years; 55% male; BMI 26.1).

Key limitation

Observational design with potential residual confounding; differences in baseline 25OHD between cohorts; possible effects from sample handling/storage; perioperative 25OHD decline could reflect non-surgical factors; limited CRP data in some analyses; generalizability may be limited to the studied population.

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Original abstract