#2028 Efficacy and safety of sucroferric oxyhydroxide versus sevelamer carbonate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Hyperphosphatemia is a common and clinically significant complication in severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), associated with higher cardiovascular adverse events and higher mortality rates. High serum phosphate is also associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, and vascular calcifications. Phosphate binders are commonly used in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT), aiming to reduce and maintain serum phosphorus. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of sucroferric oxyhydroxide versus sevelamer carbonate in patients receiving RRT. Method Data sources included MEDLINE(PubMed), Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials with the search cut-off in October 2023. We examined RCTs that comparing sucroferric oxyhydroxide versus sevelamer carbonate in the adult population receiving RRT. Data extraction followed the PICOS protocol and bias risk was assessed using the Rob-2 tool. We performed a meta-analysis combining the data from RCTs, using R-studio. The primary endpoint of this study is the change in the serum phosphorus levels from baseline to end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in serum intact parathormone (i-PTH) levels from baseline to end of treatment as well as the adverse events ratio during the study period. Given the prevalence of gastrointestinal side effects for both drugs, which often leads to drug discontinuation or patient non-adherence, a separate analysis focused on gastrointestinal-related adverse events. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 5 RCTs. No statistically significant difference was found in serum phosphorus reduction between the two groups {MD: −0.07 mmol/l,95% CI-random effects: −0.15 to 0.02}. Similarly, serum i-PTH reduction showed no statistically significant difference between the two drugs {MD = −1.53 mg/dl, 95% CI = (−4.45, 1.4), p = 0.26, random effects model}. Adverse events were comparable between the groups (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.65-1.88, random effects model). However, further analysis of gastrointestinal adverse evets indicated a 60% increase with sevelamer carbonate {OR: 1.60, 95% CI 1.31-1.97, common(fixed) effect model}. Funnel plot examination for both continuous and dichotomous outcomes revealed a high chance for small study effect and publication bias. Conclusion This meta-analysis found that sucroferric oxyhydroxide and sevelamer carbonate are equally effective in controlling serum phosphorus and i-PTH levels. Sucroferric oxyhydroxide, however, demonstrated a more favorable profile regarding gastrointestinal adverse events. Our findings suggest sucroferric oxyhydroxide as a valuable alternative for RRT patients who have difficulty tolerating sevelamer carbonate.