Does vitamin D benefit CKD patients?
Vitamin D is widely used to treat renal bone disease in chronic kidney disease. In a recent study, Yeung et al, (2023) evaluated the effects of vitamin D therapy on mortality, cardiovascular, bone, and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD.
Vitamin D had a central role in bone metabolism (including diet-related) – reduced levels are characteristic in CKD
Method
The study was a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) of patients with stage 3, 4, or 5 CKD, including kidney failure treated with dialysis.
Results
Overall, 128 studies involving 11,270 participants were included. Compared with placebo, vitamin D therapy probably had no effect on all-cause death; and uncertain effects on fracture and cardiovascular death. Compared with placebo, vitamin D therapy lowered serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase, but increased serum calcium.
Conclusion
This paper addressed the question ‘does vitamin D benefit CKD patients?’ They concluded vitamin D therapy did not reduce the risk of all-cause death in people with CKD. Effects on fracture and cardiovascular and kidney outcomes were uncertain. When using vitamin D in CKD, prescribers need to evaluate pros and cons of treatment.
Other resources
Kandula, 2011, Zheng, 2013, Kim, 2014, KDIGO, 2017, Wang, 2019, Vervloet, 2023
Last Reviewed on 23 October 2023