Phosphate binder choices used in ESRD patients

Chronic kidney disease is a complex disease, and one of its common complications is associated with hyperphosphatemia. This can lead to the development of severe hyperparathyroidism, soft tissue calcification, calcification of the lung, morbidity, and mortality. One of the mainstream therapies for managing hyperphosphatemia are phosphate binder medications (PBMs). We did a retrospective data analysis of 150 ESRD patients who were taking PBMs. Patients were grouped into non-calcium based (e.g., sevelamer), calcium-based (e.g., calcium acetate), or both, or those patients that did not receive any PBMs. We found that Sevelamer was the most commonly used PBM (53%), and calcium acetate was the second most commonly used PBM (40%). Some patients received combination therapy.