Open AccessHigh-Dose Cholecalciferol Supplementation for Vitamin D Deficiency in Haemodialysis Patients
Author(s) -
Eva Jakopin,
Breda Pečovnik Balon,
Robert Ekart,
Maksimilijan Gorenjak
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/147323001103900345
Subject(s) - cholecalciferol , medicine , vitamin d deficiency , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , gastroenterology , endocrinology
Vitamin D deficiency, which is a recognized problem in haemodialysis (HD) patients, has been associated with higher all-cause mortality. There are no guidelines concerning vitamin D supplementation in HD patients. This study aimed to assess the effects of once-monthly supplementation with high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3 ) in HD patients. Patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels of < 75 nmol/l received 40 000 IU of cholecalciferol once-monthly for 3 months in succession. Every 4 months, 25(OH)D levels were measured and, based on the findings, cholecalciferol therapy was continued for another cycle if necessary. Six cycles were completed in the 24-month study period. The majority of HD patients had mild or severe vitamin D deficiency at baseline. Monthly supplementation with cholecalciferol at 40000 IU was well tolerated, safe and inexpensive. The treatment regime was effective for vitamin D insufficiency but did not prove to be enough to restore 25(OH)D levels in HD patients with mild or severe vitamin D deficiency.