CKD-MBD: an endless story

Renal failure is a growing problem that involves a large part of the population and has a great social impact, with often incapacitating complications, mainly related to mineral bone disorders (MBD) and cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of the recent scientific literature confirms that a large number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients develop an early derangement of the parameters of Ca-P metabolism in which phosphate homeostasis and a reduced endogenous synthesis of calcitriol play a critical role. Recent findings from several large observational studies have also suggested that the benefits of vitamin D receptor activators may extend beyond the traditional parathyroid hormone-lowering effect, and could result in direct cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism has become even more complex with the arrival of the calcium-sensing receptor agonist cinacalcet hydrochloride and with the uncovering of novel mechanisms responsible for secondary hyperparathyroidism. The aim of this review is the analysis of some of the recent contributions in the field of CKD-MBD, to update the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and possibly the most appropriate therapeutic approach in this field.