Background: secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is an early complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Maintaining the level of 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone concentrations in the target range reduce its associated complications (fractures and cardiovascular calcification).
Aims: to examine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and selective vitamin D receptor agonists treatment on SHPT in CKD.
Material and methods: prospective observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin D therapy SHPT in 54 in patients with CKD. The first phase (24 weeks) – treatment of suboptimal 25-hydroxycalciferol (25(OH)D) levels. The second (16 weeks) – treatment colecalciferol-resistant SHPT by combination of cholecalciferol with paricalcitol. Blood samples were taken to assess parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH)D, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus levels and calcium excretion.
Results: After 8 weeks of cholecalciferol treatment all patients achieved 25(OH)D levels above 20 ng/ml, however 78% of patients still had SHPT. After 16 weeks, the decrease of PTH was achieved in all patients, but significantly only in patients with CKD 2 (19.2%, p< 0.01) and 3 (31%, p <0.05), compared with CKD 4 (17%, p >0.05). After 24 weeks of therapy, PTH normalized in all patients with CKD 2, in 15 (79%) with CKD 3 and in 9 (50%) patients with CKD 4. Cholecalciferol treatment resulted in a substantial increase in 25(OH)D levels with minimal or no impact on calcium, phosphorus levels and kidney function.
After 24 weeks we initiated combination therapy (cholecalciferol and paricalcitol) for patients with colecalciferol-resistant SHPT (n=13). PTH levels decreased from 149.1±13.4 to 118.2±14.1 pg/ml at 8 weeks, and to 93.1±9.7 pg/ml (p <0.05) at 16 weeks of treatment. No significant differences in serum calcium, phosphorus or urinary calcium levels. Normalization of PTH was achieved in all patients with CKD 3 and in 8 patients with stage 4. One patient with CKD 4 needed an increase in paricalcitol dose.
Conclusion: Cholecalciferol can be used in correcting vitamin D deficiency in patients with all stages of CKD, however, its effectiveness in reducing PTH in stage 4 is limited. Selective analogs, such as paricalcitol, were well-tolerated and effectively decreased PTH levels.
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