Is vitamin D deficiency a risk factor for osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with cancer? A matched case–control study

Abstract Purpose A previous case–control histomorphometric study showed higher odds of osteomalacia in patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). Vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia and may therefore be involved in the pathogenesis of BRONJ. The present case–control study aimed at testing such hypothesis. Materials and methods BRONJ+ and BRONJ− patients treated with bisphosphonates were matched by sex (same) and age (within 5 years). Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D), parathyroid hormone, bone alkaline phosphatase, total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks, Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 and sclerostin were measured. Results The main outcome was vitamin D deficiency defined as 25-OH-D Conclusion The present matched case–control study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is not a risk factor for BRONJ.