Association of serum mineral parameters with mortality in hemodialysis patients: Data from the Korean end-stage renal disease registry

Article information

Kidney Res Clin Pract. 2018;37(3):266-276
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 September 30
doi : https://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.2018.37.3.266
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital, Gyeongju, Korea
2Department of Internal Medicine, Gangneung Dongin Hospital, Gangneung, Korea
3Department of Internal Medicine, J Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
4Division of Nephrology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
5Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
6Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
7School of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
8Department of Prevention and Management, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea
9Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
10Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
11Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Correspondence: Kook-Hwan Oh, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea. E-mail: khoh@snu.ac.kr. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9525-2179
Received 2018 April 23; Revised 2018 May 22; Accepted 2018 May 26.

Abstract

Background

We investigated the associations between mineral metabolism parameters and mortality to identify optimal targets in Korean hemodialysis patients.

Methods

Among hemodialysis patients registered in the end-stage renal disease registry of the Korean Society of Nephrology between March 2012 and June 2017, those with serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) measured at enrollment were included. Association of serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iPTH with all-cause mortality was analyzed.

Results

Among 21,433 enrolled patients, 3,135 (14.6%) died during 24.8 ± 14.5 months of follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, patients in the first quintile of corrected calcium were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.71–0.99; P = 0.003), while those in the fifth quintile were associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.20–1.61; P < 0.001) compared with those in the third quintile. For phosphorus, only the lowest quintile was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08–1.43; P = 0.003). The lowest (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02–1.36; P = 0.026) and highest quintiles of iPTH (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05–1.46; P = 0.013) were associated with increased mortality. For target counts achieved according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guideline, patients who did not achieve any mineral parameter targets hadhigher mortality than those who achieved all three targets (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.12–1.67; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

In Korean hemodialysis patients, high serum calcium, low phosphorus, and high and low iPTH levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality.

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a systemic disorder of dysregulated mineral metabolism that results from chronic deterioration of renal function. CKD-MBD is usually recognized as a laboratory abnormality in mineral metabolites such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) vitamin D, and fibroblast growth factor-23; it also clinically manifests as bone disease and vascular or soft tissue calcification [1,2]. CKD-MBD is related to increased risk of fracture [3], cardiovascular disease [4], and overall mortality in patients with CKD [5,6].

Reflecting the significance of CKD-MBD for clinical outcomes, international guidelines on the proper management of CKD-MBD suggest target ranges of serum mineral parameters. Nonetheless, a study of 1,018 Korean hemodialysis patients revealed that a large portion of patients remain outside of the target range suggested by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guideline: Ca, 41.3%; P, 49.0%; and intact PTH (iPTH) 69.2% [7].

A prospective cohort study in Korea showed that the profile of mineral biochemical markers in Korean CKD patients differs from the profile of Western patients [8]. In addition, there are gaps between global guidelines and regional real-world practice. This discrepancy could be attributed to differences in ethnicity, dietary habits, socioeconomic status, health insurance reimbursement systems, and clinical practice patterns for treating CKD-MBD [5,8,9]. These regional characteristics need to be taken into account in addition to major international guidelines for optimal clinical practice. Based on mortality analysis using mineral values from the Japanese Renal Data Registry [10] and longer survival of Japanese patients compared to Western patients (i.e., need for longer hemodialysis duration), the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy guideline allows a higher P level (3.5–6.0 mg/ dL) and a relatively lower iPTH level (60–240 pg/mL) than other guidelines [11].

In 2015, the Korean working group published recommendations for the management of CKD-MBD [12]. To establish guideline on CKD-MBD that reflects the characteristics of Korean patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), more evidence of clinical outcomes is needed. However, data on the association of serum mineral parameters and clinical outcomes among Korean hemodialysis patients are scarce. Hence, we aimed to analyze the profiles of serum mineral parameters and the association of serum mineral levels with mortality of the Korean hemodialysis population using the nationwide Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN) ESRD Registry data.

Methods

Study population

The KSN has maintained the Insan Prof. Byung-Suk Min Memorial ESRD Registry, a nationwide registry on renal replacement therapy, since 1985 [13]. Data on dialysis patients have been collected via an online registry program on the KSN website (http://www.ksn.or.kr) since 2001. This registry includes data on about two-thirds of all Korean dialysis patients because it collects data on the basis of voluntary enrollment [14].

We conducted a retrospective study using data on hemodialysis patients registered in the KSN ESRD Registry between March 1, 2012 and June 17, 2017. Among the 63,783 patients screened, we identified 35,822 who were ≥ 18 years old and whose serum Ca, P, and iPTH were measured at the time of enrollment. After excluding patients with insufficient basic demographic data or without follow-up data since enrollment, 21,433 patients were included for analyses.

Data collection

Demographic and clinical data collected at enrollment were age, sex, dialysis vintage, etiology of renal failure, cardiovascular comorbidities, use of medications related to mineral metabolism (Ca-containing and non-Ca-containing phosphate binders, oral and intravenous vitamin D analogs, calcimimetics), height, weight, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, Ca, P, iPTH, albumin, cholesterol, urea reduction ratio, and single-pool Kt/V. When serum Ca was below 4.0 mg/dL, it was adjusted for serum albumin using the equation: corrected Ca = measured Ca + (4.0 − serum albumin in g/dL) × 0.8. In cases of death, if death date was specified to the year and month, death was estimated to be the first day of the month; if death date was specified only to year, the patient was excluded from analysis.

Statistical analysis

We categorized each serum corrected Ca, P, and iPTH into quintiles. The main outcome was all-cause mortality according to serum levels of corrected Ca, P, and iPTH.

Continuous variables were expressed as means with standard deviations. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and proportions. For intergroup comparisons, chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance were used, as appropriate. All-cause mortality was analyzed with a Cox proportional hazard model and reported as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate analysis was adjusted for variables that were statistically significant in univariate analysis: age, sex, dialysis vintage, etiology of renal failure, history of cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease or diabetic foot), body mass index, hemoglobin, albumin, single-pool Kt/V, and serum corrected Ca, P, and iPTH. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

To determine the mineral parameters to prioritize, we also evaluated all-cause mortality by numbers and combinations of mineral metabolism parameter targets achieved according to the KDOQI guideline [15] using a Cox proportional hazard model. The same variables were used as covariates in multivariate adjusted analysis, as described above.

All statistical analyses were performed using PASW Statistics software (version 18.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

Patient characteristics by serum mineral parameter levels

For the 21,433 patients included, mean age was 60.6 ± 13.3 years; 59.3% were male; mean hemodialysis vintage was 53.6 ± 63.9 months; and 45.1% had diabetic nephropathy as the etiology of renal failure. Mean serum levels were 9.02 ± 0.83 mg/dL for corrected Ca, 4.91 ± 1.62 mg/dL for P, and 213.2 ± 231.0 pg/mL for iPTH. Among the 21,433 patients, 3,135 (14.6%) died during the mean 24.8 ± 14.5 months of follow-up.

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients according to quintile groups of serum corrected Ca, P, iPTH levels are shown in Table 1 to 3. Serum levels for quintiles of corrected Ca were ≤ 8.40, 8.41–8.80, 8.81–9.14, 9.15–9.60, and ≥9.61 mg/dL (Table 1). Higher levels of corrected Ca were associated with longer dialysis vintage and fewer patients with diabetic nephropathy as the etiology of renal failure. There were no differences in the history of coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease or diabetic foot. Crude mortality was highest in the highest corrected Ca group with a tendency to increase with higher serum level of corrected Ca.

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum-corrected calcium level

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum intact parathyroid hormone level

Serum P ranges for quintiles were ≤ 3.59, 3.60–4.39, 4.40–5.10, 5.11–6.10, and ≥ 6.11 mg/dL (Table 2). Patients with higher P were younger, had longer dialysis vintage and higher serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and fewer had diabetic nephropathy as the etiology of renal failure. More patients with higher P were taking non-Ca-containing phosphate binders, vitamin D, and cinacalcet. The lowest P group showed a prominently lower serum level of albumin. Crude mortality decreased as serum P increased.

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum phosphorus level

The iPTH was categorized into quintiles of serum level ≤ 59.6, 59.7–119.8, 119.9–189.7, 189.8–310.9, and ≥ 311.0 pg/mL (Table 3). Higher iPTH was associated with younger age, greater use of intravenous vitamin D and cinacalcet, and fewer patients with diabetic nephropathy as the etiology of renal failure.

All-cause mortality by serum mineral parameter levels

Fisrt, all-cause mortality was analyzed by unadjusted and adjusted Cox analysis, adjusting for age, sex, dialysis vintage, etiology of renal failure, history of cardiovascular diseases, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, serum levels of hemoglobin and albumin, and quintiles of corrected Ca, P, and iPTH. After adjustment, variables associated with increased all-cause mortality were older age, male, and history of cardiovascular disease. Variables associated with decreased mortality were renal diseases other than diabetic nephropathy as cause of renal failure, higher body mass index, higher hemoglobin, higher albumin, and higher single-pool Kt/V (Table 4).

Variables independently associated with mortality by Cox proportional hazard models

For corrected Ca, P, and iPTH, we used a Cox proportional hazard model to analyze all-cause mortality according to quintiles compared with the reference third-quintile group. After adjustment, the lowest corrected Ca group (Q1) showed significantly lower HR (0.839; 95% CI, 0.714–0.986; P = 0.033), while the highest corrected Ca group (Q5) showed significantly higher HR (1.389; 95% CI, 1.198–1.611; P < 0.001). We observed a tendency for increasing Ca level to be associated with higher mortality (P for trend <0.001).

In unadjusted analysis, P level lower than the reference range was associated with higher mortality, and higher P level was associated with lower mortality in discordance with the general expectation. Though, after multivariable adjustment, only the lowest P group (Q1) was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.239; 95% CI 1.077–1.427; P = 0.003). In multivariate adjusted analysis, significantly higher HR was seen for the lowest (Q1) (1.176; 95% CI, 1.019–1.357; P = 0.026) and highest (Q5) iPTH quintiles (1.237; 95% CI, 1.046–1.464; P = 0.013).

Second, independent associations of all-cause death with serum levels of corrected Ca, P, and iPTH were analyzed by set intervals of the parameters, 0.4 mg/dL for corrected Ca, 1.0 mg/dL for P, and 50–300 pg/mL for iPTH (Fig. 1). The result was generally consistent with the results by quintile group. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with corrected Ca ≥ 9.6 mg/dL, in patients with P < 4.0 mg/dL, and in patients with iPTH < 50 pg/mL or ≥ 300 pg/mL. Comparisons were to reference groups of 8.4–8.8 mg/dL for corrected Ca, 4.0–5.0 mg/dL for P, and 50–150 pg/mL for iPTH. No significant differences were detected in mortality according to levels of Ca-P product. Detailed data are described in Supplementary Table 1.

Figure 1

Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause death according to serum levels of (A) corrected calcium (Ca), (B) phosphorus (P), and (C) intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) using a Cox proportional hazard model

Range of reference groups: serum-corrected Ca, 8.8–9.2 mg/dL; P, 4.0–5.0 mg/dL; iPTH, 50–150 pg/mL. Multivariate adjustment model was adjusted for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, corrected Ca, P, and iPTH.

Error bars denote 95% confidence interval. *P < 0.05.

All-cause mortality according to achievement of serum mineral targets of KDOQI guideline

We categorized patients into groups according to achievement of target ranges of serum Ca, P, and iPTH as recommended by the KDOQI guideline (Table 5). Patients who met no targets had significantly higher HR of death (1.365; 95% CI 1.115–1.671; P = 0.003) compared to those who met all three targets in adjusted Cox analysis (Fig. 2).

All-cause mortality by targets achieved according to the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guideline

Figure 2

Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause death according to number of achieved targets by Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines using Cox proportional hazard model

Analyses adjusted for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, corrected calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). Error bars denote 95% confidence interval.

Ref., reference. *P < 0.05.

In analysis of mortality according to separate achievement of Ca, P, and iPTH targets, among the three parameters, Ca had the greatest increase in HR between the target-achieved and non-achieved groups (HR, 1.209; 95% CI, 1.099–1.330; P < 0.001). The group that did not achieve P target was independently associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.160; 95% CI, 1.055–1.274; P = 0.002), while iPTH did not show a significant difference in the comparison (HR, 1.029; 95% CI, 0.922–1.148; P = 0.615).

Using targets for serum Ca and P from the KDOQI guideline, we classified patients into 9 groups of below, within, or above target range for each parameter. All-cause mortality was analyzed by a Cox model, using the group that met both Ca and P targets as the reference (Fig. 3). Patients in groups with above-target Ca level exhibited significantly higher HR throughout all three P categories. The highest HR was seen in the group with above-target Ca level and below-target P level (HR, 2.112; 95% CI, 1.741–2.561; P < 0.001).

Figure 3

All-cause mortality according to combination of serum corrected calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ranges using Cox proportional hazard model

Nine groups were classified according to target calcium and phosphorus ranges by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines. Adjustments were for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and intact parathyroid hormone.

HR, hazard ratio; R, reference. *P < 0.05.

Subgroup analysis

To evaluate the influence of nutritional status on the results, we subdivided the study population by serum albumin level of 3.8 g/dL, which was one of the criteria for nutritional intervention for protein energy wasting from the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism [16]. The risk of all-cause mortality was significantly increased in the highest Ca quintile compared with the third quintile in the low albumin group (HR, 1.503; 95% CI, 1.231–1.835; P < 0.001), but not in the high albumin group (HR, 1.176; 95% CI, 0.939–1.474; P = 0.158) on adjusted Cox model (Supplementary Table 2). A significant increase in HR was observed for the lowest P quintile in the low albumin group (HR, 1.301; 95% CI, 1.081–1.567; P = 0.005), while no difference was observed in the high albumin group (HR, 1.032; 95% CI, 0.823–1.295; P = 0.782). The highest quintile of iPTH was associated with higher mortality in the high albumin group (HR, 1.350; 95% CI, 1.058–1.723; P = 0.016), but not the low albumin group (HR, 1.177; 95% CI, 0.931–1.488; P = 0.172).

Futher details on Supplementary materials are presented online (available at https://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.2018.37.3.266).

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the associations between serum mineral metabolism markers and mortality in Korean ESRD patients using a nationwide registry data. KSN has been managing a nationwide ESRD Registry via survey program since 1985. The registry includes 80,674 ESRD patients with 57,256 hemodialysis patients, 7,423 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 15,995 kidney transplantation patients in Korea as of 2014 [13]. The relationship between uric acid and mortality has been studied lately using these KSN Registry data [17]. We aimed to examine the risk of mortality with respect to serum levels of Ca, P, and iPTH in the Korean ESRD population as well as to evaluate direct application of current international guidelines to this population to be appropriate. The KSN ESRD Registry began collecting data on serum Ca, P, and iPTH levels in 2012. Therefore, only patients registered after March 2012, rather than the total hemodialysis population in the Registry, were included in analysis.

The risk of hypercalcemia was notable in this study. The HR for death increased linearly with increased serum corrected Ca quintile (Table 4). The increase in HR in the target non-achieved group compared with the target achieved group was the greatest for Ca among the three parameters (Table 5). This result was in accordance with accumulating evidence about the risk of hypercalcemia. Recent large-scale research in the United States [18] and Europe [6] showed that risk of hypercalcemia had greater mortality risks than hypocalcemia. In studies conducted in Japan, mortality risk increased with increased serum Ca with a linear pattern, similar to our results [10,19]. Updated Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guideline recommends avoiding hypercalcemia and permitting mild hypocalcemia without symptoms, emphasizing the risks of hypercalcemia. The guideline also suggests restricting Ca-based phosphate binders and avoiding inappropriate Ca loading [2]. Moe et al [20] reported that positive Ca balance could lead to vascular calcification, regardless of serum Ca level. According to Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI data, proportion of dietary Ca intake in Koreans to the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) was only 69.7% in 2015 [21]. Considering that dietary intake of Ca is relatively low, restriction of Ca-based phosphate binders may effectively reduce positive Ca balance in the Korean ESRD population.

Interestingly, while increased mortality in the lowest P group was significant, no mortality increase was seen for high P level (Table 4). Serum albumin increased with increased serum P (P for trend < 0.001). As shown in subgroup analysis (Supplementary Table 2), the detrimental effect of hypophosphatemia was exaggerated in the low albumin group, with no significant differences among P quintiles in the high albumin group. This result might suggest that the effects of nutritional factors powerful to counteract the effects of P. Shinaberger et al [22] reported that improvement of nPNA as a nutritional index had a greater effect on survival than did improvement of hyper-phosphatemia. Fukuma et al [23] also demonstrated that the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index had a greater impact on mortality than did serum P. Our results could have been influenced by not distinguishing between temporary and sustained increases in P because we excluded time factors in our analysis. The revised KDIGO guideline recommends phosphate-lowering treatment only when serum P level is “progressively or persistently” elevated, in contrast with a previous early “preventive” treatment strategy [1,2].

Analysis of the relationship between target achievement and mortality showed the importance of considering Ca, P, and iPTH together along with a primary concern to avoid hypercalcemia (Table 5). The results of this study, which show an association between hypercalcemia and higher mortality and a lack of association between hyperphosphatemia and increased mortality, support the main context of treatment strategy in the 2017 updated KDIGO guideline. However, applying this guideline to clinical practice in Korea has challenges. Medication of first choice is limited by the National Health Insurance Service to Ca-based phosphate binders for mild-to-moderate hyperphosphatemia and to vitamin D analogs for secondary hyperparathyroidism. The price of non-Ca-based phosphate binders is much higher than the price of Ca-based phosphate binders. However, Cho et al [24] analyzed the cost-effectiveness of sevelamer versus calcium acetate and assessed that sevelamer could be a cost-effective alternative, even with its higher cost, by improving survival.

This study had several limitations. First, analyzed data were confined to several recent years of the registry because information on the serum levels of mineral parameters was not collected in the KSN ESRD Registry before 2012. Second, because the KSN ESRD Registry is based on voluntary updates of patient information, mostly on a yearly basis by individual dialysis units, cases of death might have been underreported and misprocessed as loss to follow-up. Third, our analysis was based on a single measurement of serum mineral parameters at enrollment. Hence, we were unable to determine the effect of change over time or long-term exposure of serum mineral markers on mortality. Fourth, we could not determine the causality between the serum mineral levels and treatment.

We analyzed the associations between serum markers related to mineral metabolism and clinical outcomes of Korean hemodialysis patients using a nationwide registry. In managing CKD-MBD, we need to avoid hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia as well as to control Ca, P, and iPTH together. Further study is required to better understand the traits of CKD-MBD in Korean populations such as analyses using time-dependent or time-average models or analysis to evaluate the effects of various treatments.

Supplementary Data

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to the KSN ESRD Registry Committee, which provided the valuable registry data for this research.

Notes

Conflicts of interest

All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Article information Continued

Figure 1

Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause death according to serum levels of (A) corrected calcium (Ca), (B) phosphorus (P), and (C) intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) using a Cox proportional hazard model

Range of reference groups: serum-corrected Ca, 8.8–9.2 mg/dL; P, 4.0–5.0 mg/dL; iPTH, 50–150 pg/mL. Multivariate adjustment model was adjusted for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, corrected Ca, P, and iPTH.

Error bars denote 95% confidence interval. *P < 0.05.

Figure 2

Hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause death according to number of achieved targets by Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines using Cox proportional hazard model

Analyses adjusted for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, corrected calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). Error bars denote 95% confidence interval.

Ref., reference. *P < 0.05.

Figure 3

All-cause mortality according to combination of serum corrected calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ranges using Cox proportional hazard model

Nine groups were classified according to target calcium and phosphorus ranges by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guidelines. Adjustments were for sex, age, dialysis vintage, renal failure etiology, cardiovascular disease history, body mass index, single-pool Kt/V, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and intact parathyroid hormone.

HR, hazard ratio; R, reference. *P < 0.05.

Table 1

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum-corrected calcium level

Variable Serum-corrected calcium level (mg/dL) P value

≤8.40 (n = 4,330) 8.41–8.8 (n = 4,529) 8.81–9.14 (n = 4,033) 9.15–9.60 (n = 4,411) ≥9.61 (n = 4,130)
Age (yr) 60.6 ± 13.1 61.6 ± 13.2 61.1 ± 13.5 60.0 ± 13.5 59.5 ± 13.1 < 0.001
Sex, male 2,965 (68.5) 2,837 (62.6) 2,293 (56.9) 2,442 (55.4) 2,178 (52.7) < 0.001
Dialysis vintage (mo) 36.1 ± 51.9 41.9 ± 55.5 47.3 ± 58.2 60.6 ± 65.3 84.3 ± 75.4 < 0.001
Etiology of renal failure < 0.001
 Diabetic nephropathy 2,127 (49.1) 2,211 (48.8) 1,874 (46.5) 1,879 (42.6) 1,580 (38.3)
 Hypertensive nephropathy 914 (21.1) 938 (20.7) 839 (20.8) 920 (20.9) 908 (22.0)
 Glomerulonephritis 396 (9.1) 441 (9.7) 439 (10.9) 545 (12.4) 597 (14.5)
 Others 893 (20.6) 939 (20.7) 881 (21.8) 1,067 (24.2) 1,045 (25.3)
Comorbidities
 Coronary artery disease 312 (7.2) 362 (8.0) 324 (8.0) 320 (7.3) 281 (6.8) 0.134
 Heart failure 191 (4.4) 161 (3.6) 172 (4.3) 181 (4.1) 176 (4.3) 0.285
 Cerebrovascular disease 130 (3.0) 140 (3.1) 140 (3.5) 170 (3.9) 173 (4.2) 0.012
 Peripheral artery disease/diabetic foot 68 (1.6) 81 (1.8) 69 (1.8) 96 (2.3) 65 (1.6) 0.178
Medication
 None 844 (19.5) 846 (18.7) 719 (17.8) 684 (15.5) 590 (14.3) < 0.001
 Ca-containing phosphate binder 3,002 (69.3) 3,093 (68.3) 2,798 (69.4) 3,101 (70.3) 2,712 (65.7) < 0.001
 Non-Ca phosphate binder 339 (7.8) 442 (9.8) 468 (11.6) 594 (13.5) 814 (19.7) < 0.001
 Oral vitamin D 716 (16.5) 732 (16.2) 626 (15.5) 756 (17.1) 798 (19.3) < 0.001
 Intravenous vitamin D 388 (9.0) 401 (8.9) 341 (8.5) 467 (10.6) 642 (15.5) < 0.001
 Cinacalcet 50 (1.2) 76 (1.7) 63 (1.6) 111 (2.5) 192 (4.6) < 0.001
Height (cm) 164.4 ± 8.6 163.7 ± 9.1 162.9 ± 8.7 163.2 ± 8.9 162.7 ± 8.9 < 0.001
Weight (kg) 60.9 ± 11.7 59.9 ± 11.5 58.9 ± 10.9 59.3 ± 11.6 58.4 ± 11.7 < 0.001
Body mass index (kg/m2) 22.4 ± 3.4 22.2 ± 3.4 22.1 ± 3.4 22.2 ± 3.4 22.0 ± 3.6 < 0.001
Systolic BP (mmHg) 143 ± 19 142 ± 20 142 ± 19 142 ± 20 143 ± 20 0.241
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 78 ± 12 77 ± 12 78 ± 12 78 ± 11 79 ± 12 < 0.001
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 10.3 ± 1.2 10.4 ± 1.2 10.4 ± 1.1 10.6 ± 1.1 10.5 ± 1.1 < 0.001
BUN (mg/dL) 62 ± 19 61 ± 19 61 ± 19 62 ± 19 63 ± 19 < 0.001
Creatinine (mg/dL) 9.0 ± 3.0 8.8 ± 3.0 8.8 ± 3.1 9.2 ± 3.2 9.5 ± 3.2 < 0.001
Albumin (g/dL) 3.9 ± 0.4 3.8 ± 0.4 3.8 ± 0.5 3.9 ± 0.5 3.9 ± 0.5 < 0.001
Cholesterol (mg/dL) 142 ± 36 143 ± 37 146 ± 36 146 ± 37 148 ± 37 < 0.001
URR (%) 68.4 ± 14.6 69.9 ± 18.5 70.6 ± 12.7 71.4 ± 9.0 71.4 ± 12.5 < 0.001
Single-pool Kt/V 1.44 ± 0.32 1.49 ± 0.31 1.51 ± 0.31 1.54 ± 0.33 1.56 ± 0.33 < 0.001
Mortality 537 (12.4) 624 (13.8) 577 (14.3) 636 (14.4) 761 (18.4) < 0.001

Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).

BP, blood pressure; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; Ca, calcium; URR, urea reduction ratio.

Table 2

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum phosphorus level

Variable Serum phosphorus level (mg/dL) P value

≤3.59 (n = 4,130) 3.60–4.39 (n = 4,331) 4.40–5.10 (n = 4,479) 5.11–6.10 (n = 4,301) ≥6.11 (n = 4,192)
Age (yr) 66.0 ± 12.1 63.8 ± 12.4 60.9 ± 12.9 58.0 ± 13.0 54.1 ± 12.7 < 0.001
Sex, male 2,386 (57.8) 2,538 (58.6) 2,611 (58.3) 2,571 (59.8) 2,609 (62.2) < 0.001
Dialysis vintage (mo) 43.0 ± 55.9 46.4 ± 59.3 52.8 ± 64.9 58.0 ± 66.3 69.1 ± 69.1 < 0.001
Etiology of renal failure < 0.001
 Diabetic nephropathy 2,063 (50.0) 2,117 (48.9) 2,080 (46.4) 1,885 (43.8) 1,526 (36.4)
 Hypertensive nephropathy 870 (21.1) 910 (21.0) 901 (20.1) 915 (21.3) 923 (22.0)
 Glomerulonephritis 319 (7.7) 411 (9.5) 515 (11.5) 532 (12.4) 641 (15.3)
 Others 878 (21.3) 893 (20.6) 983 (21.9) 969 (22.5) 1,102 (26.3)
Comorbidities
 Coronary artery disease 384 (9.3) 344 (7.9) 315 (7.0) 283 (6.6) 273 (6.5) < 0.001
 Heart failure 220 (5.3) 182 (4.2) 175 (3.9) 152 (3.5) 152 (3.6) < 0.001
 Cerebrovascular disease 202 (4.9) 164 (3.8) 174 (3.9) 125 (2.9) 88 (2.1) < 0.001
 Peripheral artery disease/diabetic foot 83 (2.1) 80 (1.9) 69 (1.6) 69 (1.7) 79 (2.0) 0.396
Medication
 None 1,267 (30.7) 910 (21.0) 749 (16.7) 478 (11.1) 279 (6.7) < 0.001
 Ca-containing phosphate binder 2,547 (61.7) 3,038 (70.1) 3,252 (72.6) 3,204 (74.5) 2,665 (63.6) < 0.001
 Non-Ca phosphate binder 105 (2.5) 157 (3.6) 295 (6.6) 542 (12.6) 1,558 (37.5) < 0.001
 Oral vitamin D 548 (13.3) 717 (16.6) 785 (17.5) 794 (18.5) 784 (18.7) < 0.001
 Intravenous vitamin D 203 (4.9) 315 (7.3) 441 (9.8) 539 (12.5) 741 (17.7) < 0.001
 Cinacalcet 25 (0.6) 53 (1.2) 84 (1.9) 135 (3.2) 194 (4.6) < 0.001
Height (cm) 161.9 ± 9.0 162.9 ± 6.7 163.3 ± 9.0 163.9 ± 8.7 164.9 ± 8.8 < 0.001
Weight (kg) 56.8 ± 10.9 58.8 ± 11.0 59.4 ± 11.0 60.2 ± 11.4 61.9 ± 12.6 < 0.001
Body mass index (kg/m2) 21.6 ± 3.4 22.1 ± 3.3 22.2 ± 3.3 22.3 ± 3.4 22.7 ± 3.7 < 0.001
Systolic BP (mmHg) 142 ± 20 142 ± 19 142 ± 19 142 ± 19 144 ± 20 < 0.001
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 77 ± 12 77 ± 11 78 ± 11 79 ± 11 80 ± 11 < 0.001
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 10.1 ± 1.2 10.4 ± 1.1 10.5 ± 1.1 10.5 ± 1.1 10.6 ± 1.2 < 0.001
BUN (mg/dL) 51 ± 18 56 ± 17 61 ± 17 66 ± 17 74 ± 18 < 0.001
Creatinine (mg/dL) 7.3 ± 2.7 8.1 ± 2.7 8.8 ± 2.8 9.8 ± 2.9 11.3 ± 3.0 < 0.001
Albumin (g/dL) 3.6 ± 0.5 3.8 ± 0.4 3.9 ± 0.4 3.9 ± 0.4 4.0 ± 0.4 < 0.001
Cholesterol (mg/dL) 142 ± 36 145 ± 36 147 ± 39 146 ± 35 146 ± 37 < 0.001
URR (%) 70.9 ± 13.7 70.5 ± 20.4 70.5 ± 11.3 70.3 ± 11.2 69.5 ± 10.8 0.005
Single-pool Kt/V 1.52 ± 0.32 1.52 ± 0.33 1.51 ± 0.33 1.51 ± 0.32 1.49 ± 0.31 < 0.001
Mortality 920 (22.3) 685 (15.8) 605 (13.5) 513 (11.9) 412 (9.8) < 0.001

Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).

BP, blood pressure; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; Ca, calcium; URR, urea reduction ratio.

Table 3

Patient characteristics by quintile of serum intact parathyroid hormone level

Variable Serum intact parathyroid hormone level (pg/mL) P value

≤59.6 (n = 4,289) 59.7–119.8 (n = 4,284) 119.9–189.7 (n = 4,288) 189.8–310.9 (n = 4,282) ≥311.0 (n = 4,290)
Age (yr) 63.3 ± 12.5 62.9 ± 12.7 61.6 ± 12.9 59.6 ± 13.4 55.4 ± 13.3 < 0.001
Sex, male 2,439 (56.9) 2,573 (60.1) 2,638 (61.5) 2,626 (61.3) 2,439 (56.9) < 0.001
Dialysis vintage (mo) 50.9 ± 58.6 45.8 ± 56.0 44.8 ± 58.0 50.1 ± 61.3 74.7 ± 77.9 < 0.001
Etiology of renal failure < 0.001
 Diabetic nephropathy 2,271 (52.9) 2,171 (50.7) 2,092 (48.8) 1,847 (43.1) 1,290 (30.1)
 Hypertensive nephropathy 793 (18.5) 838 (19.6) 909 (21.2) 939 (21.9) 1,040 (24.2)
 Glomerulonephritis 357 (8.3) 416 (9.7) 415 (9.7) 488 (11.4) 742 (17.3)
 Others 868 (20.2) 859 (20.1) 872 (20.3) 1,008 (23.5) 1,218 (28.4)
Comorbidities
 Coronary artery disease 335 (7.8) 361 (8.4) 344 (8.0) 283 (6.6) 276 (6.4) 0.001
 Heart failure 197 (4.6) 168 (3.9) 184 (4.3) 154 (3.6) 178 (4.1) 0.187
 Cerebrovascular disease 199 (4.6) 170 (4.0) 151 (3.5) 132 (3.1) 101 (2.4) < 0.001
 Peripheral artery disease/diabetic foot 83 (2.0) 89 (2.2) 79 (1.9) 76 (1.8) 52 (1.3) 0.026
Medication
 None 873 (20.4) 908 (21.2) 815 (19.0) 685 (16.0) 402 (9.4) < 0.001
 Ca-containing phosphate binder 3,051 (71.1) 2,982 (69.6) 2,989 (69.7) 2,982 (68.9) 2,732 (63.7) < 0.001
 Non-Ca phosphate binder 361 (8.4) 370 (8.6) 452 (10.5) 496 (11.6) 978 (22.8) < 0.001
 Oral vitamin D 617 (14.4) 582 (13.6) 682 (15.9) 849 (19.8) 898 (20.9) < 0.001
 Intravenous vitamin D 16 (1.1) 82 (1.9) 184 (4.3) 544 (12.7) 1,383 (32.2) < 0.001
 Cinacalcet 6 (0.1) 17 (0.4) 35 (0.8) 70 (1.6) 364 (8.5) < 0.001
Height (cm) 162.5 ± 8.9 163.3 ± 8.7 163.6 ± 8.8 163.8 ± 8.8 163.9 ± 9.0 < 0.001
Weight (kg) 57.5 ± 10.9 59.0 ± 11.3 59.8 ± 11.3 60.4 ± 11.5 60.7 ± 12.3 < 0.001
Body mass index (kg/m2) 21.7 ± 3.4 22.1 ± 3.4 22.2 ± 3.3 22.5 ± 3.4 22.5 ± 3.5 < 0.001
Systolic BP (mmHg) 143 ± 20 142 ± 19 142 ± 19 143 ± 19 142 ± 20 0.587
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 77 ± 11 77 ± 11 78 ± 11 78 ± 11 79 ± 12 < 0.001
Hemoglobin (g/dL) 10.4 ± 1.1 10.5 ± 1.1 10.4 ± 1.2 10.4 ± 1.2 10.5 ± 1.3 0.044
BUN (mg/dL) 58 ± 19 60 ± 19 61 ± 19 63 ± 19 66 ± 19 < 0.001
Creatinine (mg/dL) 8.5 ± 3.0 8.6 ± 3.0 8.9 ± 3.1 9.2 ± 3.1 10.1 ± 3.2 < 0.001
Albumin (g/dL) 3.8 ± 0.5 3.8 ± 0.5 3.9 ± 0.5 3.9 ± 0.4 3.9 ± 0.4 < 0.001
Cholesterol (mg/dL) 144 ± 38 144 ± 37 145 ± 37 146 ± 37 149 ± 35 < 0.001
URR (%) 71.1 ± 12.1 70.1 ± 9.2 70.1 ± 13.1 69.6 ± 20.8 70.1 ± 11.4 0.001
Single-pool Kt/V 1.54 ± 0.33 1.51 ± 0.32 1.50 ± 0.33 1.49 ± 0.31 1.50 ± 0.32 < 0.001
Mortality 883 (20.6) 665 (15.5) 592 (13.8) 532 (12.4) 463 (10.8) < 0.001

Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).

BP, blood pressure; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; Ca, calcium; URR, urea reduction ratio.

Table 4

Variables independently associated with mortality by Cox proportional hazard models

Variable Unadjusted HR (95% CI) P value Adjusted HR* (95% CI) P value
Age (per 1 yr) 1.061 (1.058–1.065) < 0.001 1.051 (1.047–1.056) < 0.001
Sex (male) 1.161 (1.080–1.248) < 0.001 1.172 (1.054–1.303) 0.003
Dialysis vintage (per 1 mo) 0.999 (0.998–0.999) < 0.001 1.002 (1.001–1.003) < 0.001
Etiology of renal failure
 Diabetic nephropathy Reference Reference
 Hypertensive nephropathy 0.675 (0.615–0.741) < 0.001 0.658 (0.580–0.747) < 0.001
 Glomerulonephritis 0.379 (0.327–0.440) < 0.001 0.510 (0.413–0.628) < 0.001
 Others 0.612 (0.558–0.673) < 0.001 0.725 (0.638–0.824) < 0.001
History of CVD 1.686 (1.558–1.824) < 0.001 1.373 (1.233–1.529) < 0.001
Body mass index (per 1 kg/m2) 0.922 (0.909–0.935) < 0.001 0.928 (0.913–0.944) < 0.001
Systolic BP (per 1 mm Hg) 1.000 (0.998–1.002) 0.745
Hemoglobin (per 1 g/dL) 0.808 (0.784–0.832) < 0.001 0.902 (0.864–0.942) < 0.001
Albumin (per 1 g/dL) 0.271 (0.255–0.288) < 0.001 0.435 (0.393–0.482) < 0.001
Single-pool Kt/V (per 1) 0.723 (0.620–0.844) < 0.001 0.611 (0.510–0.732) < 0.001
Corrected calcium (mg/dL)
 Q1 ≤ 8.40 0.886 (0.788–0.996) 0.043 0.839 (0.714–0.986) 0.033
 Q2 8.41–8.80 0.984 (0.878–1.102) 0.777 0.887 (0.761–1.032) 0.121
 Q3 8.81–9.14 Reference Reference
 Q4 9.15–9.60 0.997 (0.891–1.116) 0.956 1.037 (0.893–1.204) 0.634
 Q5 ≥ 9.61 1.288 (1.156–1.435) < 0.001 1.389 (1.198–1.611) < 0.001
Phosphorus (mg/dL)
 Q1 ≤ 3.59 1.869 (1.687–2.071) < 0.001 1.239 (1.077–1.427) 0.003
 Q2 3.60–4.39 1.234 (1.107–1.377) < 0.001 1.073 (0.927–1.243) 0.344
 Q3 4.40–5.10 Reference Reference
 Q4 5.11–6.10 0.853 (0.758–0.960) < 0.001 1.008 (0.863–1.177) 0.920
 Q5 ≥ 6.11 0.674 (0.595–0.764) < 0.001 1.040 (0.876–1.235) 0.652
Intact parathyroid hormone (pg/mL)
 Q1 ≤ 59.6 1.508 (1.359–1.673) < 0.001 1.176 (1.019–1.357) 0.026
 Q2 59.7–119.8 1.117 (1.000–1.248) 0.051 0.970 (0.835–1.125) 0.685
 Q3 119.9–189.7 Reference Reference
 Q4 189.8–310.9 0.898 (0.799–1.010) 0.072 1.022 (0.871–1.199) 0.790
 Q5 ≥ 311.0 0.776 (0.687–0.876) < 0.001 1.237 (1.046–1.464) 0.013

BP, blood pressure; CI, confidence interval; CVD, cardiovascular disease; HR, hazard ratio; Q, quintile.

*

Adjusted for age, sex, dialysis vintage, etiology of renal failure, history of cardiovascular diseases, body mass index, hemoglobin, albumin, single-pool Kt/V, corrected calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone.

CVD, composite of coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease/diabetic foot.

Table 5

All-cause mortality by targets achieved according to the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative guideline

Targets achieved Unadjusted HR (95% CI) P value Adjusted HR* (95% CI) P value
3 (n = 2,153) Reference Reference
2 (n = 7,708)
 Calcium and phosphorus (n = 4,724) 1.164 (1.009–1.343) 0.038 1.032 (0.850–1.251) 0.752
 Calcium and iPTH (n = 1,665) 1.000 (0.833–1.200) 0.997 1.098 (0.856–1.407) 0.462
 Phosphorus and iPTH (n = 1,319) 1.210 (1.004–1.459) 0.046 1.336 (1.041–1.714) 0.023
1 (n = 8,324)
 Calcium (n = 4,077) 1.233 (1.067–1.425) 0.004 1.262 (1.040–1.531) 0.019
 Phosphorus (n = 3,079) 1.324 (1.140–1.539) < 0.001 1.127 (0.917–1.386) 0.255
 iPTH (n = 1,168) 1.094 (0.898–1.333) 0.372 1.235 (0.941–1.622) 0.128
0 (n = 3,248) 1.393 (1.203–1.614) < 0.001 1.365 (1.115–1.671) 0.003
Calcium
 Target achieved Reference Reference
 Target not achieved 1.146 (1.068–1.229) < 0.001 1.209 (1.099–1.330) < 0.001
Phosphorus
 Target achieved Reference Reference
 Target not achieved 1.041 (0.971–1.116) 0.263 1.160 (1.055–1.274) 0.002
iPTH
 Target achieved Reference Reference
 Target not achieved 1.193 (1.101–1.292) < 0.001 1.029 (0.922–1.148) 0.615

CI, confidence interval; CVD, cardiovascular disease; HR, hazard ratio; iPTH, intact parathyroid hormone.

*

Adjusted for age, sex, dialysis vintage, etiology of renal failure, history of cardiovascular diseases, body mass index, hemoglobin, albumin, single-pool Kt/V, corrected calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone.