Aluminum overload in the reverse osmosis dialysis era: does it exist?

BACKGROUND: Aluminum accumulation is a well-described complication in dialysis patients. Improvements in hemodialysis technology have possibly eliminated the occurrence of aluminum overload. Limited evidence suggests that aluminum overload may decline in the era of aluminum removal from dialysis fluids, even with the use of aluminum binders. METHODS: We examined the data from January 2014 to June 1, 2020, identified through our electronic records, to evaluate the desferrioxamine (DFO) test results for aluminum overload. The presentation and treatment of aluminum overload were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-nine dialysis patients were enrolled for the DFO test. Forty-seven patients (47.5%) were identified as DFO test positive for aluminum overload, of which 14 (14/47) patients had symptoms, including one patient with an unexplained fracture, eight patients with unexplained anemia despite high-dose erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and five patients with hypercalcemia (serum calcium >11 mg dL(-1)). None of the patients with aluminum overload developed encephalopathy. Only four of the 47 patients had microcytic anemia. Patients requiring longer treatments (>10 months versus <10 months) had similar basal serum aluminum (p = 0.219) but had an increase in serum aluminum after DFO (p = 0.041). Furthermore, the treatments decreased erythropoietin doses in the aluminum overload group, with serum total alkaline phosphatase levels <60 U L(-1) (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: We concluded that aluminum overload existed in the reverse osmosis dialysis era. In light of non-obvious symptoms, such as anemia and bone turnover change, serum aluminum in dialysis patients should be monitored in countries using aluminum-based phosphate binders, despite reverse osmosis dialysis.