Use of vitamin D and infection in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation as protection factor against infection of patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative treatment. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study carried out between 2013 and 2016 in the Conservative Treatment Outpatient Clinics (Ambulatorio de Tratamento Conservador) of the Hypertension and Kidney Hospital (Hospital do Rim e Hipertensao) of the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. Data on sociodemographic factors, comorbidity, infection episodes and use or nonuse of vitamin D supplementation for at least 6 months were collected from medical records. The primary outcomes considered in both groups were: presence or absence of infection anywhere on the body (bloodstream, urinary, respiratory and surgical sites). RESULTS: A total of 263 patients were included and those who received (n=43) vitamin D had 59% less chance of developing infections (OR=0.41; 95%CI; 0.15-0.99), when compared to those who did not receive. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation was a protective factor against infections of all causes.