[Chronic kidney insufficiency and respiratory muscle function. Changes induced by treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3].

A myopathy basically involving proximal respiratory muscles can develop in uremia. To evaluate respiratory muscle force in uremia, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured in 27 patients with renal failure. MIP was very limited in patients with a creatinine clearance (Crc) lower than 10/ml/min 1.73 m2 not treated with hemodialysis (HD) and in patients on HD who were not treated with 1.25 (OH)2D3 (45 +/- 9 and 43 +/- 5 cm H2O, respectively), moderately reduced in patients on HD treated with 1.25 (OH)2D3 (58 +/- 5 cmH2O) and normal in patients with Crc higher than 10 ml/min 1.73 m2 (86 +/- 6 cmH2O). The treatment with 1.25 (OH)2D3 during 3 months promoted a significant increase in MIP and serum calcium level and a reduction in parathyroid hormone in patients with Crc lower than 10 ml/min. It was concluded that, in uremia, a respiratory muscle weakness partially reversible with vitamin D therapy may be found.