Hypovitaminosis D in Patients Undergoing Kidney Transplant: the Importance of Sunlight Exposure

Overview

Journal Clinics (Sao Paulo)

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2017 Aug 10

PMID 28793001

Citations 2

Authors

Cristiane F Vilarta

Marianna D Unger

Luciene M Dos Reis

Wagner V Dominguez

Elias David-Neto

Rosa M Moyses

Silvia Titan

Melani R Custodio

Mariel J Hernandez

Vanda Jorgetti

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives:: Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level less than 30 ng/ml, in both healthy populations and patients with chronic kidney disease. Patients undergoing kidney transplant are at an increased risk of skin cancer and are advised to avoid sunlight exposure. Therefore, these patients might share two major risk factors for hypovitaminosis D: chronic kidney disease and low sunlight exposure. This paper describes the prevalence and clinical characteristics of hypovitaminosis D among patients undergoing kidney transplant.

Methods:: We evaluated 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels in a representative sample of patients undergoing kidney transplant. We sought to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, compare these patients with a control group, and identify factors associated with hypovitaminosis D (e.g., sunlight exposure and dietary habits).

Results:: Hypovitaminosis D was found in 79% of patients undergoing kidney transplant, and the major associated factor was low sunlight exposure. These patients had higher creatinine and intact parathyroid hormone serum levels, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D being inversely correlated with intact parathyroid hormone serum levels. Compared with the control group, patients undergoing kidney transplant presented a higher prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and lower serum calcium, phosphate and albumin but higher creatinine and intact parathyroid hormone levels.

Conclusions:: Our results confirmed the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing kidney transplant. Therapeutic strategies such as moderate sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation should be seriously considered for this population.

Citing Articles

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal and Metabolic Disorders in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Herreros-Carretero A, Berlanga-Macias C, Martinez-Vizcaino V, Torres-Costoso A, Pascual-Morena C, Hernandez-Castillejo L Transpl Int. 2024; 37():12312.

PMID: 38720821 PMC: 11076774. DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.12312.

Reference values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D revisited: a position statement from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) and the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine (SBPC).

Moreira C, Ferreira C, Madeira M, Silva B, Maeda S, Batista M Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020; 64(4):462-478.

PMID: 32813765 PMC: 10522078. DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000258.

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