Cinacalcet Improves Erythropoietin Resistance in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Receiving Dialysis Treatment.

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is recognized as a major global public health problem. Dialysis is the mainstay of treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease and can prolong survival in patients with CKD. As patient survival increases, the treatment of complications becomes more important. CKD-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) and renal anemia are common complications in patients with CKD. Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic for the treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in adult dialysis patients, which regulates the synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone by increasing the sensitivity of calcium-sensitive receptors. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of cinacalcet in dialysis patients.

Method: Forty-seven patients on dialysis with elevated parathyroid hormone were included. The selected patients have regular follow-up visits in our outpatient clinic and regular use of cinacalcet for no less than 6 months.

Result: During the 6-month efficacy evaluation phase, cinacalcet not only reduced the levels of the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH, P ≤ 0.05), serum calcium (P ≤ 0.01), and Ca×P (P ≤ 0.05) but also reduced weekly erythropoietin dosage (P ≤ 0.01) and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI, P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: While controlling SHPT in patients with CKD, cinacalcet reduced EPO resistance and improved renal anemia. In conclusion, cinacalcet not only decreased the levels of the iPTH, serum calcium, and Ca×P but also reduced weekly EPO dosage and ERI levels. Controlling SHPT in patients with CKD, cinacalcet also reduced ERI and improved renal anemia.