Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: RECENT FINDINGS: A large US multicenter study showed that the administration of the vitamin D analog paricalcitol to hemodialysis patients, as compared with calcitriol, was associated with better survival. In a subsequent large US multicenter study paricalcitol-treated hemodialysis patients experienced fewer hospitalizations and hospital days compared with calcitriol-treated patients. In a third, smaller study from Japan, regular alfacalcidol users among hemodialysis patients had better cardiovascular survival than nonusers. Finally, in a recent historical control study the mortality of a large hemodialysis patient cohort was analyzed as a function of previous vitamin D treatment. Patients on active vitamin D compounds at any time had a 2-year survival advantage over vitamin D-naive patients. It must be pointed out, however, that all four studies were retrospective in nature. SUMMARY: The development of vitamin D analogs with less side effects than with calcitriol is of major theoretical interest. Practically speaking, however, we still need to be convinced that this goal can be achieved in chronic kidney disease patients.
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Authors | Tilman B Drüeke |
Journal | Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension
(Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens)
Vol. 14
Issue 4
Pg. 343-9
(Jul 2005)
ISSN: 1062-4821 [Print] England |
PMID | 15931002
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Animals
- Humans
- Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary
(drug therapy, prevention & control)
- Kidney Diseases
(drug therapy)
- Vitamin D
(analogs & derivatives)
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