Association of Vitamin D and Prostate Health Status in Men: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Cureus
. 2024 Dec 2;16(12):e74959.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74959. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Association of Vitamin D and Prostate Health Status in Men: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study​

Janvitha Reddy 1, Arul Senghor K A 1, Vinodhini V M 1, N Prasath 2, Mansi Ravat 3
Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 39744261
• PMCID: PMC11693405
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.74959

Abstract​

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common form of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Vitamin D may be an effective way to treat BPH symptoms because it has anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Thus, adequate vitamin D levels are vital for overall health. This study aimed to investigate the association of vitamin D with prostate health status in men and determine the diagnostic cut-off of vitamin D levels. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among men between 45 and 80 years of age who presented to the surgery or urology department with complaints of frequent urination and urinary tract infection. Based on their total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the participants were categorized into four groups - Group A (total PSA 0-3.9 ng/ml), Group B (total PSA 4-9.9 ng/ml), Group C (total PSA 10 - 19.9 ng/ml), and Group D (total PSA > 20 ng/ml). Total PSA was estimated by a dedicated Beckman Coulter hormone analyzer (UNICEL DXI 600, Beckman Coulter, Inc., California, US) via the chemiluminescence method. Serum vitamin D was estimated with dedicated reagents in the Bio-Rad ELISA (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., California, US). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) post hoc test was utilized to compare quantitative variables. A correlation analysis proved the relation between vitamin D and total PSA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to determine the diagnostic performance of the analyte of interest.
Results: In this study, total PSA levels significantly increased in men over 75 years of age. The upper limit of total PSA increased with the age of the men. Total PSA levels were compared between the age groups of 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and more than 70, and an increase in total PSA levels was observed in those between 60 and 69 years. Total PSA levels were also negatively correlated (r=- 0.31) with vitamin D in this age group. Moreover, vitamin D-deficient individuals had significantly increased total PSA levels (12.57±5.22 ng/ml). Further correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation of total PSA with vitamin D levels (r=- 0.245; p=0.022). ROC analysis had an area under the curve of 0.828 for Vitamin D at a cut-off of 20 ng/ml revealing a diagnostic sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 60%. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a potential biochemical marker of benign prostate hypertrophy. Vitamin D and total PSA are indicators of prostate health status in men. Screening of total PSA levels reflects the prostate health status of men and this needs to be potentiated with vitamin D supplementation.

Indian population.

I'm not convinced by their conclusion.

The Double Disparity: Vitamin D Deficiency and Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men - PubMed

Epidemiological data from as early as the 1930s documented a dramatic racial disparity in prostate cancer incidence, survival, and mortality rates among Black men-a trend that persists to this day. Black men are disproportionately burdened by prostate cancer, developing the disease at younger...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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The Double Disparity: Vitamin D Deficiency and Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men​

Adriana Duraki <a title="Department of Pathology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA." href="The Double Disparity: Vitamin D Deficiency and Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men - PubMed">1</a>, Kirsten D Krieger <a title="Department of Pathology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA." href="The Double Disparity: Vitamin D Deficiency and Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men - PubMed">1</a>, Larisa Nonn <a title="Department of Pathology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: [email protected]." href="The Double Disparity: Vitamin D Deficiency and Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men - PubMed">2</a>
Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 39827969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2025.106675

Abstract​

Epidemiological data from as early as the 1930s documented a dramatic racial disparity in prostate cancer incidence, survival, and mortality rates among Black men-a trend that persists to this day. Black men are disproportionately burdened by prostate cancer, developing the disease at younger ages, facing more aggressive and lethal forms, and ultimately experiencing double the mortality rate of men of European descent. Investigating the multifactorial contributors to this racial disparity has been extensive, but results have often been inconsistent or inconclusive, making it difficult to pinpoint clear correlations. However, there is strong evidence suggesting that vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with lethal forms of prostate cancer. This is particularly important given that Black men are at a higher risk for both vitamin D deficiency and developing aggressive, lethal prostate cancer, presenting a double disparity. The disparity in prostate cancer and vitamin D extends to Black men outside the US, but most of the studies have been done in African American men. Understanding the available evidence on vitamin D deficiency and its influence on prostate cancer biology may reveal new opportunities for prevention and therapeutic intervention.