High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in north Indian adults is exacerbated in those with chronic kidney disease.

AIM

Vitamin D is being increasingly recognized as an important player in disease. Hypovitaminosis D is widespread in chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations around the world. The vitamin D status of Indian CKD patients is not known.

METHODS

Levels of 25(OH) vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in adult north Indian male patients with newly diagnosed stage IV-V CKD and matched control subjects drawn from the same population. A total of 100 (34 stage IV and 66 stage V) patients with CKD and 72 controls were studied.

RESULTS

Only 4% control and 1% of CKD subjects had normal (>30 ng/mL) vitamin D levels. Approximately 68% of control and 77% of the CKD population had vitamin D deficiency (<15 ng/ml) whereas the remaining 38% control and 22% CKD patients had insufficient (15-30 ng/mL) vitamin D levels. Levels were lower in CKD subjects compared to their family members, and the CKD patients were significantly more likely to have severe vitamin D deficiency (<5 ng/mL). A strong negative correlation was noted between vitamin D and PTH. No significant correlation was found between vitamin D levels and body mass index, bodyfat percentage, serum albumin or calcium levels.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in north Indians, and this is more pronounced in CKD subjects. There is a significant inverse correlation between the vitamin D and PTH levels. The clinical significance of this deficiency and the potential benefits to be derived from vitamin D supplementation in this population merits further studies.