Highlights• Vitamin D levels had an almost linear relationship with annual kidney function decline among kidney transplant recipients• Vitamin D inadequacy and deficiency showed significant dose-dependent associations with higher risks of organ rejection and death.
Newswise — Atlanta, GA (November 8, 2013)—Adequate vitamin D levels are important for maintaining kidney transplant recipients’ health, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2013 November 5¬–10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.
In the study that included 264 kidney transplant recipients, researchers led by Yoshitsugu Obi, MD, PhD (Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, in Japan) measured patients’ baseline blood levels of vitamin D and examined their links with kidney function decline, rejection episodes, and death.
Vitamin D levels had an almost linear relationship with annual kidney function decline. Also, with vitamin D sufficiency (≥20 ng/mL) as the reference, vitamin D inadequacy (≥12 and <20 ng/mL) and deficiency (<12 ng/mL) showed significant dose-dependent associations with higher risks of organ rejection and death.
“Low vitamin D predicts adverse allograft outcomes, and vitamin D supplementation early after kidney transplantation may improve patient outcome,” the authors concluded.
Study: “Low Vitamin D and Adverse Allograft Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients (Abstract 1603)
Disclosures: Takayuki Hamano is a consultant for Kyowa-Medex and receives research funding from Chugai Pharmaceutical. Naotsugu Ichimaru receives research funding from Chugai and Astellas. Naohiko Fujii receives research funding from Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Chugai, Novartis and Bayer. Hiromi Rakugi has an ownership interest in and receives research funding from Astellas Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, Eisai, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, and Mochida Pharmaceutical; and receives research funding and honoraria from MSD K. K., Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis Pharma K.K., Ono Pharmaceutical, Pfizer Japan, Shionogi, and Takeda Pharmaceutical. Shiro Takahara has an ownership interest in Astellas Pharma., Novartis Pharma, K.K. Chugai Pharmaceutical, Nippon Kayaku, and Asahi Kasei Pharma; receives research funding from Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Factory, Takeda Pharmaceutical, and MiZ; and honoraria from Astellas Pharma, Novartis Pharma, and K.K. Chugai Pharmaceutical. Yoshiharu Tsubakihara is a consultant for Chugai Pharm, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, GSK, and Bayer; receives research funding from Chugai Pharm, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Baxter Japan, Otsuka Pharm, and Asahi Kasei Pharm; and honoraria from Chugai Pharm, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Otsuka Pharm, and Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharm. ASN Kidney Week 2013, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for 14,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2011 will take place November 5 – 10, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.
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