Effects of Oral Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) on Bone Health, Neuromuscular Function, and Quality of Life in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease

Effects of Oral Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) on Bone Health, Neuromuscular Function, and Quality of Life in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease

Will oral vitamin improve strength, bone quality, pain and quality of life. This is a double blind, randomized placebo controlled study using 10,000 IU of cholecalciferol vs placebo.

The proposed study is be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of supplementation with oral vitamin D3.

Each subject will take a once-weekly capsule containing vitamin D3 or a an identical-appearing placebo for a treatment period of 15 weeks.

Subjects will be assessed for Bone pain and tenderness, Neuromuscular function, physical performance score, and Quality of life assessment.

A subset of subjects will have bone biopsies performed before and after intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• On dialysis
• Likely to be able to complete the study
• At least minimally ambulatory, with or without a walking aid (i.e., cane or walker)
• Able to complete the various questionnaires interactively with the research nurse
• Venous access that can be accomplished without unusual difficulty.