Low Vitamin D Linked to Higher Post-Mastectomy Pain and Opioid Use

A recent study involving 184 women who underwent mastectomy has found that low vitamin D levels are linked to increased postoperative pain and higher use of opioid analgesics. Researchers observed that patients with vitamin D deficiency were three times more likely to report moderate to severe pain within the first 24 hours after surgery. They also required significantly more tramadol, and received slightly higher doses of fentanyl during the operation.

In addition to the heightened pain scores, the vitamin D‑deficient group experienced a greater incidence of postoperative nausea. The findings suggest that monitoring and potentially correcting vitamin D status before breast‑cancer surgery could influence pain management strategies and reduce reliance on opioid medications.