Abstract
Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is also known as a silent killer among patients with renal failure.
Objectives: The objectives of this investigation was to assess the efficiency and tolerability of sevelamer in hyperphosphatemia in Pakistani patients on regular hemodialysis.
Patients and Methods: A total of 59 dialysis individuals (age >18 years), from both genders, on regular hemodialysis with phosphate level more than 5.5 mg/dL, not on any phosphate binders was enrolled to the study. All the patients received sevelamer 400 mg orally in a dose depending on their baseline serum phosphorus level. Patients received the treatment for duration of 8 weeks. All the patients were followed and investigated for the efficacy and safety variables on fortnightly basis.
Results: The mean (± SD) age of all the enrolled patients was 42.2 (±6.4) years. The mean (±SD) serum phosphorus was reduced significantly to 6.70 (±0.86) mg/dL, 6.00 (±0.64) mg/dL, 5.30 (±0.87) mg/dL and 4.97 (±0.91) mg/dL on day 15 (P < 0.0001), 30 (P < 0.0001), 45 (P < 0.0001) and day 60 (P < 0.0001) respectively. The mean (SD) serum total cholesterol was also reduced non-significantly to 193.9 (±15.6) mg/dL, significantly to 192.1 (±15.9) mg/dL, to 190.6 (±17.0) mg/dL and to 188.1 (±16.3) mg/dL on day 15 (P = 0.085), day 30 (P = 0.003), day 45 (P < 0.0001), and on day 60 (P < 0.0001) respectively.
Conclusion: Our study showed a significant reduction in mean serum phosphorus and total cholesterol, in patients on hemodialysis. Therefore, sevelamer is a safe drug for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in our clinical settings.