Comparison of serum levels of vitamin D after mastectomy in women with and without postoperative infection: case-control study

Post-mastectomy infection can dramatically increase the duration of recovery. Considering the potential role of vitamin D in preventing infection, this study was performed with aim to compare serum levels of post-mastectomy vitamin D in women with and without postoperative infection.

This case-control study was performed on 50 women after mastectomy at Tabriz Imam Reza Hospital in 2017-2018. Demographic information and vitamin D levels (taking blood samples) were included in a researcher-made instrument containing disease-related information. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) and independent t-test and Chi-square tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean of vitamin D in the infected group was 27.33 ±2.41 and in the uninfected group was 49.55±4.11 (p=0.004). Also, most patients in the infected group (48%) had vitamin D deficiency, while most subjects in the uninfected group (60%) had normal vitamin D that the difference between the two groups was significant (p=0.003).

Low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of infection after mastectomy in women with cancer.