Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Erythropoietin Dosage in Hemodialysis Patients Who Have Vitamin D Deficiency

Kaiser Permanente

Overview

While vitamin D supplementation is safe and effective in repleting vitamin D levels in dialysis patients, the impact on anemia is unknown. The majority of hemodialysis patients require erythropoietin supplementation to maintain their serum hemoglobin between 11 and 12 gm/dL, a drug that is both costly and associated with significant side effects. If repletion of vitamin D significantly decreases erythropoietin requirements in hemodialysis patients, it would result in a substantial reduction in patient care costs. Our aim is to study the impact of ergocalciferol supplementation in hemodialysis patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. The investigators anticipate approximately 30% reduction in erythropoietin dose requirement in our hemodialysis population.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Vitamin D Deficiency Anemia

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All hemodialysis patients at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center with vitamin D deficiency \[defined by 25-hydroxyvitamin D level less than 30 ng/ml\] Exclusion Criteria: * Non-renal causes of anemia (myelodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma, pure red cell aplasia, thallassemia, and sickle cell anemia) * Active cancer * AIDS * refused erythropoeitin, intravenous iron or vitamin D analogs in the past * no erythropoeitin requirement for greater than 6 weeks

Locations (1)

Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

erythropoietin dosage

Time frame: 6 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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