# Patient characteristics modify the association between changes in mineral metabolism parameters and mortality in a nationwide hemodialysis cohort study

## TL;DR

This study shows that patient characteristics affect how changes in mineral levels impact mortality in hemodialysis patients.

## Contribution

The study identifies that patient performance status and medical history modify the effects of mineral metabolism changes on mortality.

## Key findings

- Higher calcium levels are linked to higher mortality in patients with good performance status.
- Lower calcium and phosphate levels are associated with lower mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
- Patient characteristics should be considered when managing mineral levels in hemodialysis.

## Abstract

In hemodialysis patients, it remains unclear whether patient characteristics influence the clinical impacts of changes in serum mineral metabolism parameters on mortality. In this 9-year cohort study, we investigated the associations between the changes in calcium/phosphate levels and all-cause mortality using a time-dependent approach after adjustment for potential confounders in groups stratified by performance status (PS), a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), or diabetic nephropathy (DN). In patients with baseline serum calcium levels of 9.5–<10.0 mg/dL, increases in serum calcium levels were associated with higher mortality exclusively in patients with PS Grade 0. In the same baseline calcium range, a significant association was observed between reduced serum calcium levels and lower mortality only in patients with a history of ACVD or DN. Similarly, in patients with baseline serum phosphate levels of 5.0–<5.5 mg/dL, reduced serum phosphate levels were associated with lower mortality only in those with PS Grade 0, a history of ACVD or DN. These findings indicate that PS should be considered in treating mild hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients. Moreover, stringent management of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in patients with a history of ACVD or DN might be associated with a better prognosis.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-92359-0.