Cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis: the impact of mineral disorders

INTRODUCTION: Mineral and bone disorders (MBD) are associated with higher mortality in dialysis patients. The main guidelines related to the subject, Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), were elaborated based on published information from hemodialysis participants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (according to guideline ranges from KDOQI and KDIGO) on the cardiovascular mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: We used the BRAZPDII database, an observational multi-centric prospective study, which assessed participants on PD between December 2004 and January 2011. Amongst 9,905 participants included in this database, we analyzed 4424 participants who were on PD for at least 6 months. The appropriate confounding variables were entered into the model. Serum levels of Ca, P, and PTH were the variables of interest for the purposes of the current study. RESULTS: We found a significant association between high P serum levels, categorized by KDOQI and KDIGO (P above 5.5 mg/dL), and cardiovascular survival (p < 0.01). Likewise, a compelling association was found between lower levels of PTH, categorized by guidelines (KDOQI and KDIGO - PTH less than 150 pg/mL, p < 0.01), and cardiovascular survival. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, levels of P above and PTH below the values proposed by KDOQI and KDIGO were associated with cardiovascular mortality in PD patients.