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Abstract Background and Aims Patients with chronic kidney disease experience mineral and bone metabolism alterations, collectively known as Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD), linked to elevated cardiovascular mortality. A significant biochemical change is the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism—an adaptive response to uremic conditions that, when surpassing critical thresholds, becomes maladaptive, heightening clinical risk. Presently, optimal parathyroid hormone (PTH) values for hemodialysis (HD) patients lack a clear definition, with recent evidence challenging international guideline limits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PTH values on mortality in a population of patients in HD. Method A prospective observational study involving chronic hemodialysis patients commenced in January 2020, with a 40-month follow-up for mortality recording. Exclusion criteria comprised parathyroidectomy, primary hyperparathyroidism evidence, prior kidney transplant, or transplant plans within three months. Clinical and biochemical data, aligned with the 2017 KDIGO guidelines for PTH, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (Ps) target values, were recorded. Our laboratory PTH values ranged from 25 to 88 pg/ml, and stable PTH values within 180 to 700 pg/ml were deemed adequate in HD patients. Patients were categorized based on the average of three values over 12 months for PTH, Ca, and Ps parameters. Results One hundred patients (average age: 71 ± 13.59) were enrolled. Seventy-seven percent achieved PTH targets (180-700 pg/ml), 73% for Ca, and 19% for phosphorus (Table 1). During follow-up, 36 deaths (36%) occurred. While percentages of target achievement were similar between survivor and non-survivor groups, non-survivor patients exhibited higher PTH values (423.08 ± 277 vs. 360.44 ± 214.92; p = 0.05) without differences in Ca and Ps levels between the two groups (Table 2). Stratifying based on the median PTH value (330 pg/ml) revealed higher mortality in patients with PTH 330 pg/ml (Log-rank test p = 0.05) (Fig. 1). Conclusion Despite comparable target achievements for PTH, Ca, and Ps, deceased patients had elevated average PTH values, especially those exceeding 330 pg/ml, indicating a higher risk of death during our follow-up. In line with recent literature, these findings underscore PTH's role as a uremic toxin, suggesting a revaluation of current PTH targets for hemodialysis patients
Rotondi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.