In the general population, low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with higher risks of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Sun H. Kim, MD, MS (Stanford University School of Medicine) and colleagues conducted a secondary review of the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) study to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on kidney health in people with pre-diabetes, a disease that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which in turn is the leading cause of kidney disease.

The study randomized 2,423 overweight / obese adults with prediabetes to vitamin D₃ 4000 IU per day or placebo, for a median treatment duration of 2.9 years. “The D2d study is unique because we recruited people with high-risk prediabetes, with abnormal 2 of 3 glucose values, and we recruited over 2000 participants, which is the largest prevention trial of diabetes with vitamin D to date, ”said Dr. Kim.

During the trial, there were 28 cases of worsening kidney function in the vitamin D group and 30 in the placebo group, and the mean change in kidney function during follow-up was similar in the two groups. . “Our results did not show any benefit from vitamin D supplements on kidney function. However, about 43% of the study population took vitamin D outside of the study, up to 1,000. IU per day, at the start of the study. Among those who were not taking any vitamin D alone, it was suggested that vitamin D reduced the amount of urine protein over time, which means it could have a beneficial effect on kidney health. Further studies are needed to investigate this further. “

Dr Kim added that vitamin D supplementation is popular and that it is difficult for clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation to show a benefit if the study population is not deficient in vitamin D. “The majority of study population had sufficient vitamin D blood levels and normal kidney function, ”she said. “The benefits of vitamin D may be greatest in people with low levels of vitamin D in the blood and / or reduced kidney function.”

Study co-authors include Irwin G. Brodsky, MD, Ranee Chatterjee, MD, MPH, Sangeeta R. Kashyap, MD, William C. Knowler, MD, DrPH, Emilia Liao, MD, Jason Nelson, MPH, Richard Pratley, MD, Neda Rasouli, MD, Ellen M. Vickery, MS, Mark Sarnak, MD, MS, and Anastassios G. Pittas, MD, MS.

Disclosures: The authors have not reported any relevant financial disclosures associated with this publication.

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