Aluminium toxicity may lead to mainly three disorders in haemodialysis patients: aluminium-related bone disease (osteomalacia), microcytic anemia and neurological dysfunction. This toxicity is associated with exposure to contaminated water of dialysate preparations or ingestion of aluminum-containing binders used for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of Al toxicity in HD patients receiving aluminium hydrocide without the confounding factor of aluminium-contaminated dialysis.
We studied 82 current haemodialysis patients. Serum aluminium concentrations are monitored every sin months in our unit. For the correct sampling of aluminium all the precautions were taken: fasting for at least eight hours, upright for al teast 30 minutes, prohibition of drinks contained in aluminium cans.
15 patients received sevelamer in an average dose of 6,4 grams daily; 28 patients received lanthanum (average dose 2,5 grams daily); 12 patients received calcium acetate/magnesium carbonate (average dose 1,5 grams daily); 15 patients received sevelamer carbonato (average dose of 4,8 grams daily) and 12 patients received aluminium hydroxide (average dose 800 mg daily). In all patients the mean serum phosphate concentration was 4,9 gr/dl. Serum Al concentrations were low in all patients (mean concentration 7,8 mcg/lt). Only one patient (Al hydroxide group) had concentration over 55 mcg/lt but no clinical evidence of toxicity.
Although this is a small study, we see that there are no statistically significant correlation between serum Al concentration and the total amount of Al ingested. No patient had clinical evidence of Al toxicity despite the administration of aluminium hydroxide. Therefore, with due prudence, although in accord to the K/DOQI and KDIGO guidelines in our hospital we promote the use of the newer phosphate binders, we should re-evaluate the risk of using Al-based phosphate binders in HD population.
