Vitamin D, cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with kidney disease

Ugeskr Læger 2009;171(50):3684-3689

Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic kidney disease. In epidemiological studies, vitamin D deficiency and absence of treatment with vitamin D is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Several possible mechanisms may explain how vitamin D can influence the development of cardiovascular disease. Clinical intervention studies are needed to clarify whether treatment with vitamin D decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease.