Increased vitamin D associated with lower mortality in patients on dialysis

Higher levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients on dialysis were linked to lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks, according to a study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.

“In the general population, studies among adults, elders, children and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) showed that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a lower mortality rate,” wrote the authors. “In the dialysis population, vitamin D deficiency was found to be associated with increased risks of vascular calcification, stroke, left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular events, each of which was in turn associated with increased mortality.”

Researchers analyzed 18 other cohort studies with an overall sample population of 14,154 patients on dialysis. They used PubMed and EMBASE to find these studies reporting on the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients on dialysis. In the researcher’s meta-analysis, it was found that the population presented a nonlinear decrease in mortality risk as 25(OH)D increased.

Researchers reported that the study did not account for marked heterogeneity in the cohort studies. They attributed this to the difference in cardiovascular disease prevalence. Additionally, the potential for residual confounding could not be excluded from the study.

“Regular measurement of serum 25(OH)D may help to identify high-risk patients and provide timely treatment for better prognosis,” wrote the authors. - by Scott Buzby

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

Published by:

Sources/Disclosures

Collapse

Source:

Zhang Y, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2018;doi:10.1093/ndt/gfy016.