Effects of Cholecalciferol Supplementation on EPO Requirements
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the effectiveness of Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Haemodialysis Patients: The Impact on Erythropoietin (EPO) Requirements and Quality of Life
IRAS ID
148952
Contact name
Sharon Huish
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UHCW NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/NW/0330, Liverpool East NRES Committee
Research summary
The kidney makes the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) required to produce red blood cells (RBCs) which carry oxygen around the body. Kidney failure results in a lack of EPO causing a shortage of RBCs known as anaemia. EPO can be given as an injection but it is expensive, can cause complications, and does not successfully treat anaemia in all patients. Treatment resistant patients (patients that remain anaemic) need much higher EPO doses. This has been linked to high blood pressure and premature death.
Low vitamin D blood levels are very common in people with advanced kidney failure and are associated with higher EPO requirements. There is evidence that vitamin D has a role in RBC production. We propose that vitamin D supplementation will therefore result in reduced EPO requirements which will in turn reduce EPO associated health risks and costs.
Vitamin D is cheap and supplementation in this patient group is proven to be safe. Our NHS Trust have decided to introduce vitamin D supplementation as part of routine care for patients requiring a kidney replacement therapy known as haemodialysis. This research project has been designed around this planned change in routine care and will audit the benefits of vitamin D supplementation on EPO requirements and quality of life (QoL).
Routine data before and after the introduction of vitamin D supplementation will be collected and compared in order to assess whether increased vitamin D blood levels results in reduced EPO requirements. QoL questionnaires will be given to patients before and after the introduction of vitamin D supplementation in order the study the effects of vitamin D on QoL. Results from this research will be circulated locally and nationally. It is hoped that positive outcomes will inform further research and influence national guidelines for vitamin D supplementation in haemodialysis patients.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
14/NS/1012
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion