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Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) supplementation on erythropoietin doses in hemodialysis patients.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, we enrolled chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis, referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital in Babol, Iran in 2018. All patients with concomitant serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D less than 30 ng/mL and hemoglobin below 10 g/dL were enrolled. These patients were treated with the oral pearl of vitamin D for 12 weeks. Monthly levels of serum vitamin D and hemoglobin were measured. Also, erythropoietin doses were examined at baseline and each month after receiving cholecalciferol supplementation. A P-value <.05 was considered significant.
Results: In total, 38 patients (22 females and 16 males) with a mean age of 48.34 ± 14.62 years were enrolled. The mean erythropoietin dose was 59 684.21 ± 27 404.08 U/month at baseline and decreased to 51 157.89 ± 27 503.83 U/month after treatment in all patients (P = .019). The mean erythropoietin dose in the responders' group (25-D ≥30 ng/mL) was reduced (P = .032). Also, hemoglobin level increased (P < .001) after treatment compared to the baseline. There was no significant difference in the non-responders group (25-D <30 ng/mL) to erythropoietin dose and the hemoglobin level after treatment. Additionally, in all patients, the serum level of 25-D (P < .001 (and hemoglobin level (P = .028) were significantly different before and after treatment.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated that cholecalciferol administration might reduce the need for erythropoietin doses in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Cite this article as: Najjar Firozjaei A, Akbari R, Nikpour M, Hajahmadi M, Pornasrollah M, Sorkhi H. The Effect of Vitamin D supplementation on erythropoietin utilization in hemodialysis patients: A semi-experimental study. Turk J Nephrol. 2022;31(2):177-182.