Vitamin D deficiency is associated with reduced overall survival for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), with a differential effect across race, according to a study published online April 21 in Blood Advances.

Sarvari V. Yellapragada, M.D., from Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, and colleagues examined the differential impact of vitamin D deficiency on outcome in patients with symptomatic MM in the Veterans Affairs system. Data were included for 1,889 patients with MM: 29 percent African American, 61 percent white, and 10 percent other/unknown.

The researchers found that 46.3 and 23.6 percent of African-American and white patients, respectively, had vitamin D deficiency. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had significantly worse overall survival compared with those with normal levels (median, 3.10 versus 3.91 years). The estimated hazard ratio (HR) in association with vitamin D deficiency was 1.24; after adjustment for race, age, and stage at diagnosis, vitamin D deficiency remained an independent predictor of overall survival (HR, 1.34). Overall survival was significantly lower with vitamin D deficiency among white patients compared with those with normal levels, with an estimated HR of 1.38. For African American patients, overall survival was no different for patients with vitamin D deficiency compared with those who had normal serum vitamin D levels.

“Our results, in addition [to] suggesting a need to screen patients with MM for vitamin D deficiency and consider replacement if deficient, also highlight racial differences in disease biology that require further in-depth evaluation,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.