Hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing kidney transplant: the importance of sunlight exposure

Authors

  • Cristiane F. Vilarta Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Marianna D. Unger Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Luciene M. dos Reis Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Wagner V. Dominguez Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Elias David-Neto Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Urologia
  • Rosa M. Moysés Universidade Nove de Julho; Mestrado em Medicina
  • Silvia Titan Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Melani R. Custodio Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia
  • Mariel J. Hernandez Universidad Central de Venezuela; Hospital Universitario de Caracas; Servicio de Nefrología y Trasplante Renal
  • Vanda Jorgetti Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP; Divisão de Nefrologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(07)05

Keywords:

Vitamin D, Kidney Transplantation, Parathyroid Hormone, Hypovitaminosis D, Chronic Kidney Disease

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.

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Published

2017-07-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Vilarta, C. F., Unger, M. D., dos Reis, L. M., Dominguez, W. V., David-Neto, E., Moysés, R. M., Titan, S., Custodio, M. R., Hernandez, M. J., & Jorgetti, V. (2017). Hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing kidney transplant: the importance of sunlight exposure. Clinics, 72(7), 415-421. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(07)05