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It has been shown during the last years that transplant recipients may develop vitamin D deficiency.^1-2 Although the reasons for relatively low vitamin D levels in transplant recipients are thought to be multifactoral, I believe that a lack of UV exposure may be the major cause. Exposure to UV is the main reason for the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer.³ Because immunosuppressive therapy markedly increases the risk of developing UV-induced skin cancer, it is extremely important for transplant recipients to protect themselves against UV exposure. On the other hand, 90% of all vitamin D is formed within the skin through the action of the sun. This is a serious problem, as a connection between vitamin D deficiency and severe health problems, including various types of cancer (eg, colon, prostate, and breast cancer), has been suggested in a large number of studies.^4-5 As a consequence, the association between vitamin D deficiency . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Jörg Reichrath, MD

Correspondence: Dr Reichrath, Department of Dermatology, the Saarland University Hospital, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany (hajrei@uniklinik-saarland.de).

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Sunscreens in organ transplant patients
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Nephrol Dial Transplant 2008;23:1805-1808.
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