Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic renal failure

Background: Disturbances in calcium and phosphorus metabolism are almost invariable consequences of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).This study aimed to determine the frequency of hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphatemia in patients with CRF. Methods: In this cross-sectional study data were collected through a checklist and from biochemical analysis of serum calcium (corrected for serum albumin), albumin, phosphorus, PTH, creatinine of patients admitted with CRF at Hasheminejad hospital in 12 months (2010) study. Results: One hundred CRF patients (53% males, mean age 60 ±16 years) were enrolled in the study that 31% were on Hemodialysis (HD). Associated- HTN & diabetes was the most common cause of CRF(28%). Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcaemia were reported in 40% and 15% of patients respectively. Mean of age in patients with hypocalcemia was significantly lower than patients without hypocalcemia (41.20±18.12 vs 64.14±13.88 years, p=0.001). Ninety percent of patients with hyperphosphatemia were categorized as ESRD in comparison with 46.7% of those without hyperphosphatemia, (p=0.001). There were significant negative associations among the following variables, serum calcium level and serum PTH level, (r=-0.486, p=0.001); between serum phosphorus level and serum calcium level, serum phosphorus level and GFR, (r=-0.285, p=0.004) and (r=-0.474, p=0.001) respectively. Conclusion: Based on our findings, most of the patients with hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia were categorized as ESRD. Therefore conducting clinical trial to explore the impact of applying new methods and strategies of controlling calcium and phosphorus metabolism on the outcome of the CRF and hemodialysis patients is necessary.