Correlation between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Vascular Access Dysfunction in Regular Haemodialysis Patients with & without HCV Infection

Abstract

Performance of a successful hemodialysis procedure requires a functional vascular access providing adequate blood flow. Vascular access dysfunction is one of the leading causes of morbidity in hemodialysis patients. Studies have reported that vascular access dysfunction is responsible for 20% of all hospital admission within hemodialysis patients. Vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/L) or insufficiency (20 -29 ng /L) are common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or undergoing dialysis. We aim to detect the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and vascular access dysfunction in regular haemodialysis patients. This is an observational retrospective case control study. Sixty patients from both sexes, on conventional hemodialysis, were included in the study. Patients age ranged from 18 to 50 years and they were enrolled from the hemodialysis units at Ain Shams University. An informed consent was obtained from all patients. Patients included in our study suffered from increased intima – media thickness and decreased pulse wave velocity in arteriovenous fistula, as proved by duplex ultrasound. They also had an estimated arteriovenous fistula blood flow < 800 ml / min as a marker of fistula dysfunction.