Functional deficiency of vitamin K in hemodialysis patients in Upper Silesia in Poland

Purpose Functional vitamin K deficiency (both K1 and K2) is postulated to be one of the most relevant links between chronic kidney disease and vascular calcification in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Recommended dietary restrictions in HD patients superimposed on diversity of eating habits across the countries may affect the prevalence of functional vitamin K deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the level of functional vitamin K deficiency and its relation to vitamin K1 intake in HD patients in Upper Silesia in Poland.