Changes in protein-bound calcium during haemodialysis in relation to bone disease

29 patients receiving haemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of bone disease as defined by radiology and bone alkaline phosphatase. The group of patient with bone disease showed a significantly greater increase in protein-bound calcium during dialysis compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in the changes in total calcium, albumin or hydrogen ion concentration during dialysis between each group. The data suggest that there is a relationship between the increase in protein-bound calcium during dialysis and the incidence of bone disease.