Paricalcitol Use Lower Among Non-Diabetics On Statins

LAS VEGAS—Statin use by non-diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease may decrease paricalcitol use, according to researchers.

In a study of 1,894 ESRD patients, Salman R. Mallick, MD, of University Hospitals in Cleveland, and colleagues found that, among the 923 patients without diabetes, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were significantly lower in statin users than in non-users (388.7 vs. 511.2), as was weekly use of paricalcitol (1.04 vs. 1.21 µg/week). These differences remained significant even after adjusting for race, serum calcium, weekly dose of paricalcitol, and body mass index, according to data presented at the National Kidney Foundation’s Spring Clinical Meetings.

The results suggest a possible favorable effect of statins on iPTH and vitamin D profile in nondiabetic patients on hemodialysis, the investigators concluded.

The study found no significant effect of statins on iPTH or paricalcitol use in diabetic patients.