Relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease in China

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China, to assist understanding of the effects of vitamin D treatment in such patients. METHODS: A total of 225 patients with CKD were enrolled and a range of laboratory parameters were measured. The participants were allocated to three groups, according to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration: a severe deficiency group, a deficiency group, and a sufficiency group. The prevalences of anaemia in the three groups were assessed, and the factors associated with anaemia in patients with CKD were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalences of anaemia were 79.5% in the severe deficiency group, 63.5% in the deficiency group, and 48.0% in the sufficiency group. The prevalence of anaemia gradually increased with the severity of vitamin D3 deficiency. The prevalences of anaemia in participants with stages 1 to 5 CKD were 21.1%, 30.4%, 39.5%, 78.7%, and 94.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D3 deficiency may increase the risk of anaemia in patients with CKD.