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Severe vitamin D deficiency increases risk for renal hyperfiltration

Severe vitamin D deficiency — defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of less than 10 ng/mL — was a risk factor for renal hyperfiltration in otherwise relatively healthy adults, according to findings recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“Although the interaction between vitamin D deficiency and [chronic kidney disease] is well elucidated, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and glomerular filtration rate remains unclear in the general population,” Jong Hyun Jhee, MD, of the division of nephrology at the Inha University College of Medicine in Korea, and colleagues wrote.

Researchers retrieved estimated glomerular filtration rate and vitamin D intake data from 33,210 participants (mean age, 48.1 years; 56.5% women) of the Korean NHANES study.

Jhee and colleagues found the estimated glomerular filtration rate was negatively associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (beta = –0.02; 95% CI: –0.02 to –0.01). Renal hyperfiltration was significantly higher in participants with severe vitamin D deficiency (5.8% vs. 5% in those with sufficient levels), and a multivariable logistic regression model showed severe vitamin D deficiency was a significant risk factor for renal hyperfiltration (OR = 2.41; 95% CI, 1.72-3.43).

“This association might be due to the elimination of the effects of vitamin D, which suppresses [the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system] and leads to reduced glomerular hypertension and hyperfiltration,” Jhee and colleagues wrote. “These findings suggest that early screening and management of severe vitamin D deficiency is beneficial for protecting renal function in a relatively healthy population.” – by Janel Miller

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.