Effect of high dose ergocalciferol in chronic kidney disease patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency

Objective: To evaluate 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) deficiency in a cohort of predialysis CKD patients and the treatment effect and safety of high dose ergocalciferol supplement in predialysis CKD. Material and Method: Fifty-six predialysis CKD patients who came for a regular visit at a single hospital with calculated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were screened for 25-OH-D levels. Forty-four patients with 25-OH-D deficiency were recruited into this prospective observational study that examined the effect of high dose oral ergocalciferol supplementation. After eight weeks, 37 patients completed the follow-up and biochemical parameters were reevaluated and analyzed. Results: The mean 25-OH-D level of 56 patients was 25.6 ± 8 ng/mL. Forty-four (78.5%) patients had 25-OH-D levels less than 30 ng/mL and four (7.1%) had severe deficiency with the level less than 15 ng/mL. High dose ergocalciferol upplement successively increased 25-OH-D levels in 35 (95%) patients. 25-OH-D levels increased significantly from 22 ± 4.8 to 34.5 ± 10.8 ng/mL after eight weeks (p < 0.001). During the study period, there were no changes in serum calcium, phosphate, and PTH. There was no other side effect associated with the treatment. Conclusion: 25-OH-D deficiency were found in this cohort of predialysis CKD patients. Ergocalciferol was a safe and effective supplement for the 25-OH-D in predialysis CKD.