Hyperparathyroidism, Serum Phosphorus and Dietary Intake in Hemodialysis Patients: Is There a Novel Relationship?

TL;DR

This study explores how dietary intake and serum phosphorus levels relate to hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

Contribution

The study reveals a novel inverse relationship between dietary phosphorus and fiber intake and elevated iPTH levels in hemodialysis patients.

Findings

Higher serum phosphorus levels are associated with increased iPTH levels in hemodialysis patients.

Lower dietary phosphorus and fiber intake predict higher iPTH levels even after adjustment for other factors.

The observed relationship between dietary intake and iPTH levels provides new insights into managing hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract

The management of hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) serum levels > 585 pg/mL), frequently focuses on the appropriate control of mineral and bone markers, with the decrease in serum and dietary phosphorus as two of the targets. We aimed to investigate the association between iPTH, serum phosphorus levels and dietary intake. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study with 561 patients on hemodialysis treatment. Clinical parameters, body composition and dietary intake were assessed. For the analysis, patients were divided into three groups: (a) iPTH < 130, (b) iPTH between 130 and 585 and (c) iPTH > 585 pg/mL. The association between PTH, serum phosphorus and dietary intake was analyzed using linear regression models. In the whole sample, 23.2% of patients presented an iPTH > 585 pg/mL. Patients with higher iPTH levels were those with longer HD vintage and lower ages, higher serum phosphorus, serum calcium, Ca/P product, albumin and caffeine intake, and a lower dietary intake of phosphorus, fiber, riboflavin and folate. Higher serum phosphorus predicted higher iPTH levels, even in the adjusted model. However, lower dietary phosphorus and fiber intake were predictors of higher iPTH levels, including in the adjusted model. Our results bring new data to the relationship between dietary intake and iPTH values. Despite higher serum phosphorus being observed in patients with HPTH, an opposite association was noted regarding dietary phosphate and fiber.