SERUM VITAMIN-A LEVELS AND ASSOCIATED ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS ON REGULAR DIALYSIS TREATMENT

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (2) , 63-68
Abstract
Multivitamin preparations are commonly administered to regular dialysis treatment (RDT) patients. Serum vitamin A was measured in 72 patients on RDT. Elevated serum vitamin A levels (102.29 .+-. 26.95 .mu.g/dl [3.57 .+-. 0.94 .mu.mol/l)] were found in the dialysis population (normal 40.98 .+-. 6.71 .mu./dl [1.43 .+-. 0.23 .mu.mol/l]; P < 0.0005). Serum vitamin A levels increased with duration (mo.) of dialysis but not with frequency of dialysis (2 or 3 weekly). Patients taking a vitamin A-containing multivitamin preparation had higher serum vitamin A levels than those on a non-vitamin A supplemented diet. Bilaterally nephrectomized patients had the highest serum vitamin A levels while patients with obstructive uropathy had the lowest levels. Serum vitamin A levels did not correlate with symptoms of uremia. Positive correlations were found with serum levels of Ca, cholesterol and triglycerides. Patients receiving a vitamin A supplement had higher serum cholesterol levels than non-supplemented patients. Vitamin A might be a factor in the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in RDT patients. The long-term administration of vitamin A-containing multivitamin supplements to patients on RDT should be discontinued.