Impact of association between fibrocystic diseases and vitamin D deficiency

Abstract

Background: Previous research has established a link between vitamin D deficiency and various cancers, including breast cancer. However, the impact of vitamin D deficiency on benign breast diseases, such as fibrocystic breast disease (FB), remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between fibrocystic breast disease and vitamin D deficiency. Objectives: To determine the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the prevalence and development of fibrocystic breast disease. Methods: A two-pronged approach was employed in this investigation. First, a hospital-based prevalence study was conducted from February 1, 2024, to June 1, 2024, at Al-Yarmouk Hospital, involving 88 women. The sample was divided into a control group of 44 women with no pathological condition and a study group of 44 women diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease, all of whom had varying results in their vitamin D tests. Second, a case-control analysis was implemented. The study group consisted of women diagnosed with FB based on breast pain, physical examination findings, and ultrasound confirmation. The control group comprised age-matched women without FB. Results: The study indicates a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and the presence of FB, suggesting that low vitamin D levels may be a risk factor for developing FB. The p-value of 0.000472 indicates that the differences in vitamin D levels between the FB cases and controls are statistically significant (p≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study links vitamin D insufficiency to fibrocystic breast disease. Age and occupation were similar between groups, but vitamin D levels were significantly lower among FB women. This complements previous research showing vitamin D may protect breast health and reduce fibrocystic alterations. Vitamin D supplementation may prevent or treat fibrocystic breast disease. More study is needed to understand this relationship.