A Study of 25-hydroxy Vitamin d Levels in Non-itching Hemodialysis Patients

A Cross-sectional Analysis of 25-hydroxy Vitamin d Levels in Non-itching Hemodialysis Patients

Hypothesis:

25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in non-itching hemodialysis (HD) patients will be higher than those in HD patients with itching

25-hydroxy vitamin D levels will be measured in non-itching hemodialysis patients and compared to levels previously measured in a previous study of 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of patients complaining of itching.

25-hydroxy vitamin D levels from non-itching HD patients in this study will be compared to 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels from our ongoing study in HD patients with itching. The primary endpoints for both studies are continuous variables. Student's t test will be used to test for statistical significance. Multiple regression analysis will be used for controlling covariates and testing the interaction among covariates.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hemodialysis treatment for > 3 months No complaints of itching within 1 month prior to study enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years
• Failure to provide informed consent
• Intact PTH < 70 pg/ml or > 1,000 pg/ml
• Serum phosphorus > 7.0
• Serum calcium (adjusted for albumin)> 11
• Active malignancy
• Likelihood of imminent renal transplantation
• Current ergocalciferol treatment