Cinacalcet Treatment for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Dialysis Patients: An Observational Study in Routine Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background: Cinacalcet reduces intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), Ca and P serum levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods: This Spanish, multicenter, observational, retrospective study collected data from SHPT dialysis patients 12 weeks before and up to 72 weeks after starting cinacalcet in clinical practice. Results: Data from 428 patients with uncontrolled SHPT despite receiving standard of care (29% with baseline iPTH 501–800 pg/ml; 51% with >800 pg/ml) were collected. Percentages of patients within National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative targets at baseline and 72 weeks were: iPTH, 0 versus 32.5% (p < 0.05); Ca, 40.1 versus 50% (p < 0.05); P, 47.7 versus 53.8% (p = 0.162). Vitamin D sterol use decreased from 53.3% at baseline to 36.7% at 72 weeks (p < 0.05). The mean ± SD cinacalcet dose at 72 weeks was 44.0 ± 25.8, 51.7 ± 31.3 and 57.1 ± 37.0 mg for patients with baseline iPTH 301–500, 501–800 or >800 pg/ml, respectively. The main adverse reactions were nausea (5.4%), dyspepsia (5.1%) and vomiting (3.7%). Conclusions: The introduction of cinacalcet improved the routine clinical management of SHPT in a large cohort of Spanish dialysis patients. Cinacalcet is effective and well tolerated regardless of disease severity, and maintains its efficacy over 72 weeks.