Oral versus intramuscular cholecalciferol replacement in hemodialysis patients with vitamin D deficiency

Introduction: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level in hemodialysis (HD) patients is associated with high bone turnover, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Objective: To investigate the efficacy of equivalent doses of pulse oral cholecalciferol versus intramuscular (IM) cholecalciferol in correcting serum 25(OH)D levels in HD patients with vitamin D deficiency. Patients and Methods: In a prospective randomized open-label clinical trial, 80 HD patients with 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level >100 pg/mL were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I: 40 HD patients received oral cholecalciferol 25 000 IU weekly for 12 weeks. Group II: 40 HD patients received a single dose of IM cholecalciferol 300 000 IU. Patients were maintained on their regular medications as alfacalcidol or phosphate binders. Serum calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH)D, alkaline phosphatase and iPTH were monitored at 0, 6th, and 12th week of intervention. Results: Significant increase in serum 25(OH)D level in group II patients who received IM (intramuscular) cholecalciferol, with delta mean a change of vitamin D level was 2.92 ±7.29 ng/mL over three months in comparison to the insignificant change in oral cholecalciferol group. Additionally there was a significant increase in the mean of serum calcium in comparison to oral cholecalciferol group, while we found a statistically significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase level in both groups too (P<0.05). The mean of iPTH levels was reduced significantly with IM cholecalciferol dose (1064.00 ± 787.60 to 609.9 ± 551.41 pg/mL; P<0.05). Conclusion: Intramuscular cholecalciferol dose is more effective at increasing 25(OH) D levels in dialysis patients than oral supplementation, achieves more increase in serum calcium and reduce iPTH levels. However, the longer duration of treatment is required to achieve recommended levels of vitamin D and suppress high iPTH levels.