Association of Vitamin D and Smoking in Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

The eighth leading cause of death in the United States, kidney disease affects 20 million adults with the majority unaware of their condition. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt or rapid decline in renal filtration function. Examining modifiable risk measures could add important insights to management in patients with AKI. Vitamin D dysfunction may influence common acute complications such as organ failure, leading to worse outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammatory disease and smoking is a well‐known risk factor for inflammation. The study examined the associations between vitamin D and cigarette smoking in patients with AKI. A single‐center prospective cohort study was conducted among 60 AKI patients, aged 18 years and older, hospitalized at Staten Island University Hospital. Calcifediol [25(OH)D] and calcitriol [1,25(OH)D] serum levels were determined using LC‐MS/MS method. Smoking status was self‐reported. Linear regressions to evaluate the associations yield the following: 25(OH)D has a significant association with smoking (p = 0.008). Results revealed that smokers have approximately 50% less 25(OH)D levels as compared to non‐smokers. Prospective studies to determine cotinine levels to predict smoking status in patients with AKI are recommended to further verify these findings.Support or Funding InformationThis research project is funded by The Professional Staff Congress‐City University of New York (PSC‐CUNY) Research Award # 67543‐00 45.