Ernst JB, et al. – In this trial, the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation was examined in reducing anemia prevalence in advanced heart failure (HF). Investigations revealed that in patients with advanced HF, a daily vitamin D supplement of 4000 IU did not reduce the prevalence of anemia.

Methods

• EVITA (Effect of Vitamin D on Mortality in Heart Failure) was a randomized, placebo–controlled clinical trial in patients with initial 25OHD levels < 75 nmol/l.
• In this trial, participants received either 4000 IU vitamin D3 daily or a matching placebo for 36 months.
• In this pre–specified secondary data analysis, 172 patients (vitamin D group: n = 85; placebo group: n = 87) were investigated.
• At baseline and study termination, hemoglobin (Hb) and other hematological parameters were measured.
• At study termination, assessment of between–group differences in anemia prevalence and Hb concentrations was performed, while adjusting for baseline differences.

Results

• In the vitamin D and placebo group, baseline proportions of patients with anemia (Hb < 12.0 g/dL in females and < 13.0 g/dL in males) were 17.2% and 10.6%, respectively (P = 0.19).
• At study termination, the proportion of patients with anemia in the vitamin D and placebo groups was 32.2% and 31.8%, respectively (P > 0.99).
• No between–group difference was observed in the Hb concentrations (–0.04 g/dL [95%CI:–0.53 to 0.45 g/dL]; P = 0.87).
• In the subgroup of patients with chronic kidney disease, results regarding anemia risk and Hb concentrations were similar (vitamin D group: n = 26; placebo group: n = 23).
• In addition, results did not differ substantially when data analysis was restricted to patients with deficient baseline 25OHD levels.