Effects of Long-term Therapy With Calcitriol in Patients With Moderate Renal Failure

Michael D. Healy, Hartmut H. Malluche, David A. Goldstein, Frederick R. Singer, Shaul G. Massry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since abnormalities in divalent ion metabolism occur early in renal insufficiency, treatment of patients with moderate renal failure with calcitriol could halt and/or reverse these disturbances. The effects of long-term treatment with calcitriol (0.5 μ/day) in three such patients were evaluated. Serum calcium level rose from 0.3 to 0.7 mg/dL. Blood parathyroid hormone levels were mildly elevated and fell to normal. Intestinal absorption of calcium increased. The patients had hypocalciuria and the urinary calcium level increased. Creatinine clearance remained stable in all patients. Iliac crest biopsy specimens obtained after double tetracycline hydrochloride labeling revealed mild osteomalacia and hyperparathyroid bone disease that healed after therapy. The data show that a small dose of calcitriol is safe and effective for the management of the derangements of divalent ion metabolism in patients with moderate renal failure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1030-1033
Number of pages4
JournalArchives of Internal Medicine
Volume140
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1980

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

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