SEVELAMER HYDROCHLORIDE IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS : RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

• Background: Sevelamer hydrochloride is a phosphate binder widely employed in hemodialysis patients. Until now, information about its efficacy and safety in peritoneal dialysis patients has been scarce. • Patients and Methods: In September 2005 a cross-sectional study of demographic, biochemical, and therapeutic data of patients from 10 peritoneal dialysis units in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Spain, was conducted. • Results: We analyzed data from 228 patients. At the time of the study, 128 patients (56%) were receiving sevelamer. Patients receiving sevelamer were younger (p 5.5 mg/dL, calcium-phosphate product >55 mg 2 /dL 2 , serum albumin 5 mg/L. • Conclusions: This uncontrolled cross-sectional study in peritoneal dialysis patients showed that sevelamer hydrochloride treatment allows an adequate serum phosphate level in about 60% of patients and significantly reduces total and LDL-cholesterol levels. Since this treatment is associated with metabolic acidosis in 22% of patients, we recommend close monitoring of bicarbonate levels in this group of patients until the clinical significance of this result is clarified.