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Background The utilization of short-term daily hemodialysis has increased over the last few years, but little is known on its effects on the control of serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels. Methods We therefore performed a cross-sectional study to compare FGF23 levels as well as other biochemical variables between 24 patients undergoing short daily hemodialysis using the NxStage System® and 54 patients treated with conventional in-center hemodialysis. FGF23 levels were measured using the second-generation Immutopics® C-terminal assay. Results Short daily hemodialysis patients were younger than patients on conventional hemodialysis but there were no differences between groups in the duration of end-stage renal disease nor in the number of patients with residual renal function. A greater number of short daily hemodialysis patients received vitamin D sterol therapy than did conventional in-center hemodialysis patients while there were no differences in the use of different phosphate binders and calcimimetic therapy between groups. Overall serum calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone levels were similar between groups. While serum phosphorus levels correlated with FGF23 concentrations in each group separately [r = 0.522 (P < 0.01) and r = 0.42 (P < 0.01) in short daily and conventional in-center hemodialysis, respectively], FGF23 levels were lower [823 RU/mL (263, 2169)] in the patients receiving short daily hemodialysis than in patients treated with conventional hemodialysis [2521 RU/mL (909, 5556)] (P < 0.01 between groups). Conclusions These findings demonstrate that FGF23 levels are significantly lower in short daily hemodialysis patients and suggest that FGF23 levels may be a more sensitive biomarker of cumulative phosphate burden than single or multiple serum phosphorus determinations in patients treated with hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Protein-energy wasting, inflammation and refractory anemia are common in long-term hemodialysis patients. A decreased responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) is often the cause of the refractory anemia. We hypothesized that the malnutrition–inflammation complex is an independent predictor of decreased responsiveness to ESAs in hemodialysis patients. Methods This cohort study of 754 hemodialysis patients was examined for an association between inflammatory and nutritional markers, including the malnutrition–inflammation score (MIS) and responsiveness to ESA. Cubic spline models were fitted to verify found associations. Results The mean (±SD) age of patients was 54 ± 15 years, 53% were diabetic and 32% blacks. MIS was worse in the highest quartile of ESAs responsiveness index (ERI, ESA dose divided by hemoglobin) when compared with 1st quartile (6.5 ± 4.5 versus 4.4 ± 3.4; P < 0.001). Both C-reactive protein (log CRP) (β = 0.19) and interleukin-6 (log IL-6) (β = 0.32) were strong and independent predictors of ERI using multivariate linear regression. Serum albumin (β = −0.30) and prealbumin levels (β = −0.14) were inversely associated with ERI. Each 1 SD higher MIS, higher CRP and lower albumin were associated with 86, 44 and 97% higher likelihood of having highest versus three lowest ERI quartiles in fully adjusted models [odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval) of 1.86 (1.31–2.85), 1.44 (1.08–1.92) and 1.97 (1.41–2.78)], respectively. Cubic splines confirmed the continuous and incremental nature of these associations. Conclusions Malnutrition–inflammation complex is an incremental predictor of poor responsiveness to ESAs in hemodialysis patients. Further studies are needed to assess whether modulating inflammatory or nutritional processes can improve anemia management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The implications of chemical hyperparathyroidism on bone and mineral metabolism measures in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are not well known. We hypothesized that a higher serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level is associated with the higher likelihood of hyperphosphatemia, hyperphosphatasemia [high serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels] and hypercalcemia. Methods Over an 8-year period (July 2001–June 2009), we identified 106 760 MHD patients with iPTH and calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P) and ALP data from a large dialysis clinic. Logistic regression models were examined to assess the association between serum iPTH increments and the likelihood of hyperphosphatemia (P ≥5.5 mg/dL), hypercalcemia (Ca ≥10.2 mg/dL) and hyperphosphatasemia (ALP ≥120 U/L). Results Patients were 61 ± 16 years old and included 45% women, 59% diabetics and 33% Blacks. Compared with an iPTH level of 100 to <200 pg/mL, patients with an iPTH level of 600–700, 700 to <800 and ≥800 pg/mL had 122% (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 2.04–2.41), 153% (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 2.29–2.80) and 243% (OR: 3.43, 95% CI: 3.22–3.66) higher risk of hyperphosphatemia, respectively, and had 109% (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.93–2.26), 130% (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 2.10–2.52) and 376% (OR: 4.76, 95% CI: 4.50–5.04) higher risk of hyperphosphatasemia, respectively. Compared with an iPTH level of 100 to <200 pg/mL, both the low iPTH (<100 pg/mL, OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 2.27–2.64) and the high iPTH (≥800 pg/mL: OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.95–2.33) levels were associated with hypercalcemia. Conclusions Higher levels of iPTH are incremental correlates of hyperphosphatemia and hyperphosphatasemia, whereas both very low and high PTH levels are linked to hypercalcemia. If these associations are causal, correction of hyperparathyroidism may have overarching implications on bone and mineral disorders in MHD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) have better survival than non-PKD patients. Mineral and bone disorders (MBD) are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular death in MHD patients. It is unknown whether the different MBD mortality association between MHD populations with and without PKD can explain the survival differential. Methods Survival models were examined to assess the association between different laboratory markers of MBD [such as serum phosphorous, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and alkaline phosphatase] and mortality in a 6-year cohort of 60 089 non-PKD and 1501 PKD MHD patients. Results PKD and non-PKD patients were 57 ± 13 and 62 ± 15 years old and included 46 and 45% women and 14 and 32% Blacks, respectively. Whereas PKD individuals with PTH 150 to <300 pg/mL (reference) had the lowest risk for mortality, the death risk was higher in patients with PTH <150 [hazard ratio (HR): 2.16 (95% confidence interval 1.53–3.06)], 300 to <600 [HR: 1.30 (0.97–1.74)] and ≥600 pg/mL [HR: 1.46 (1.02–2.08)], respectively. Similar patterns were found in non-PKD patients. Fully adjusted death HRs of time-averaged serum phosphorous increments <3.5, 5.5 to <7.5 and ≥7.5 mg/dL (reference: 3.5 to <5.5 mg/dL) for PKD patients were 2.82 (1.50–5.29), 1.40 (1.12–1.75) and 2.25 (1.57–3.22). The associations of alkaline phosphatase and calcium with mortality were similar in PKD and non-PKD patients. Conclusion Bone–mineral disorder markers exhibit similar mortality trends between PKD and non-PKD MHD patients, although some differences are observed in particular in low PTH and phosphorus ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]