Safety and Effects of Supplementation With Ergocalciferol on Erythropoietin Dosing in Hemodialysis Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients treated with thrice weekly in-center hemodialysis (HD) for more than 90
days.

2. Treated with EPO for at least 90 days. The mode of administration, intravenous (IV)
or subcutaneous (SC), must remain the same for 90 days prior to enrollment.

3. The method by which EPO is prescribed (per DCI Corporate or local protocol or per
physician on an individualized basis) must remain the same for at least 90 days prior
to enrollment with respect to the ceiling for the total EPO dose administered per
week, if a ceiling is used, and the level of hemoglobin (Hgb) at which EPO is
discontinued (Hgb cutoff), if a Hgb cutoff is used.

4. The method by which IV Iron is prescribed (per DCI Corporate or local protocol or per
physician on an individualized basis) must remain the same for at least 90 days prior
to enrollment with respect to the serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT)
targeted, if specific ferritin and TSAT targets are used

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with a serum calcium ≥10.5 mg/dL on at least one occasion in the past 30
days.

2. Patients with a serum phosphorus >8.0 mg/dL on at least one occasion in the past 30
days.

3. Active infection defined by the use of IV antibiotic use within the past 30 days.

4. Current use of immunosuppressant medications other than low dose corticosteroids
(prednisone <10 mg per day or equivalent)

5. History of a hematological malignancy (e.g. multiple myeloma, leukemia).

6. Sickle cell disease (sickle cell trait is not an exclusion).

7. Myelodysplasia requiring 1 or more blood transfusions in the past 3 months.

8. Transfusion for any reason within the past 30 days.

9. Medical conditions that cause a reduction in the absorption of oral vitamin D
including Crohn's disease, celiac sprue, cystic fibrosis and surgical removal of part
or all of the stomach or intestine.

10. Medications that cause a reduction in the absorption of oral vitamin D including
cholestyramine (Questran, others), colestipol (Colestid, others) and orlistat
(Xenical, Alli).

11. Known allergy/adverse reaction to ergocalciferol.

12. Treated with ergocalciferol and/or cholecalciferol (except if part of a
multi-vitamin) within the last 3 months.

13. Average Kt/V < 1.3 on past three monthly labs. There must be at least 2 monthly Kt/V
values in the past three months.

14. Skipped more than 3 dialysis treatments (excluding planned missed treatments) within
the past 3 months for reasons other than hospitalization.

15. Life expectancy less than 6 months.

16. Kidney transplantation planned in the next 6 months.

17. Switch to peritoneal dialysis planned in the next 6 months.

18. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months. A pre-menopausal
woman must agree to use contraception for the duration of the study. If a woman has
not had menses in over 12 months, consider this patient to be menopausal.

19. Unable or unwilling to give informed consent.