Meta-analysis of the effect of sevelamer on phosphorus, calcium, PTH, and serum lipids in dialysis patients

Hyperphosphatemia and dyslipidemia are common, clinically significant conditions in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hyperphosphatemia management is essential; however, use of calcium-based phosphate binder has been associated with elevated risk of cardiac calcification in ESRD, increasing risks for cardiovascular disease and death. An alternative to calcium-based phosphate binders is sevelamer hydrochloride, a calcium-free, metal-free, nonabsorbed polymer that binds phosphate effectively. We conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of sevelamer hydrochloride on parameters of mineral metabolism (serum phosphorous, calcium, Ca x P, and iPTH) and the lipid profile (total, LDL, HDL, and non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) in dialysis patients. After application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 17 core studies were statistically analyzed to determine the sevelamer treatment effect on the study parameters as demonstrated by simple, n-weighted, and inverse variance-weighted mean changes. Analysis of inverse variance-weighted mean changes indicated that sevelamer treatment was associated with a 2.14 mg/dL drop in serum phosphorus (P <.001), no significant overall effect on calcium (0.09 mg/dL, P =.364), significant decline in Ca x P product (15.91 mg(2)/dL(2), p<.001), 35.99 pg/mL reduction in iPTH (P =.026), significant reduction in total cholesterol (30.58 mg/dL, P <.001), 31.38 mg/dL drop in LDL cholesterol (P <.001), significant increase in HDL cholesterol (4.09 mg/dL, P =.008), and a significant reduction in triglycerides (22.04 mg/dL, P <.001). This meta-analysis suggests that sevelamer offers a dual therapeutic benefit in dialysis patients-a population at high risk for cardiovascular disease- by improving phosphorus control and the lipid profile, without altering serum calcium. (C) 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.