title: High-dose cholecalciferol supplementation for vitamin D deficiency in haemodialysis patients.
abstract: 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-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels of < 75 nmol/l received 40,000 IU of cholecalciferol oncemonthly 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 40,000 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. e.jakopin@gmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jakopin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pecovnik Balon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ekart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorenjak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002762:Cholecalciferol