The impact of pretransplant 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency on subsequent graft function: An observational study

• Main Authors: Kim Hyunwook, Kang Shin-Wook, Yoo Tae-Hyun, Kim Myoung, Kim Soon, Kim Yu, Choi Kyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-07-01
• Series: BMC Nephrology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2369/13/22

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In addition to its canonical role in musculoskeletal health, several reports have demonstrated that serum vitamin D level may influence kidney function. However, the effect of pretransplant serum vitamin D level on subsequent graft function has not been explored. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the effect of serum vitamin D level at the time of kidney transplantation (KT) on subsequent graft function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed 106 patients who underwent KT and for whom 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were measured during hospitalization prior to transplantation. We measured estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula at baseline and at six-month intervals up to 36 months after KT.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>38.7% of the patients were diagnosed with 25-OHD deficiency defined as less than 10 ng/mL. Recipient gender (female vs. male, odds ratio [OR] 3.30, 95% CI 1.33-8.21, <it>P</it> = 0.010), serum albumin level (per 1 mg/dl increase, OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.98, <it>P</it> = 0.047), and predominant renal replacement therapy modality before KT (<it>P</it> < 0.001) were found to be independent pretransplant risk factors for 25-OHD deficiency by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Subsequent repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed that 25-OHD level had the only significant main effect on eGFR during the 36-month follow-up period [<it>F</it> (1, 88) = 12.07, <it>P</it> = 0.001].</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pretransplant 25-OHD deficiency was significantly associated with a lower post-transplant eGFR, suggesting that 25-OHD may play an important role in maintaining graft function after KT.</p>