The Relationship of Vitamin D Level with Renal Prognosis in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Patients- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: The level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is an independent predictor of disease progression and death in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients. However, there are insufficient data to evaluate the possible effects of plasma 25(OH)D3 levels on the prognosis of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Aim: To analyse the relationship between renal prognosis and serum 25(OH)D3 status in FSGS. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 56 patients, who were followed-up for at least one year and diagnosed with primary FSGS. Participants were grouped according to their baseline 25(OH)D3 levels (≤15 or >15 ng/mL) and treatment response at the end of one year (remission group or no remission group) was evaluated. Results: Mean age of the 56 participants was 44±13.92 years and 27 (48.2%) were male. Remission achievement in the first year was significantly higher and interstitial fibrosis was significantly lower for the group with a 25(OH)D3 above >15 ng/ mL (p<0.001, p=0.002, respectively). Basal serum 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy percentages were higher for the ‘no remission’ group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.005, respectively). Results of the binary logistic regression analysis revealed that low 25(OH)D3 level and higher interstitial fibrosis were independent predictive factors that increased the risk of no remission in the first year (p=0.036, p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion: In primary FSGS patients, low baseline 25(OH)D3 level at the time of biopsy and high interstitial fibrosis are independent predictors that reduce remission rates in the first year.