[Suitable examination intervals for hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism treated with...

Five patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing chronic hemodialysis, whose level of intact-PTH was less than 500 pg/mL, were treated with maxacalcitol for 16 weeks. The levels of serum intact-PTH, corrected calcium, phosphorous, ALP and BAP were measured every 2 weeks, and we investigated the suitable examination intervals to evaluate parathyroid function in these patients. Intact-PTH decreased significantly after 6 weeks, and thereafter corrected serum calcium level increased. From these results it is necessary to put emphasis to the time before 8 weeks in the measurement of intact-PTH, and on the other hand, after 8 weeks in the measurement of corrected serum calcium. ALP showed no significant change during the administration period. As a bone metabolic marker, BAP is more useful, and its measurement is enough for every 2 months. In conclusion, suitable examination intervals during the period of maxacalcitol treatment might not be adapted to the recommendation in the K/DOQI guideline 8B.2.