Phosphorus Counting Table for the control of serum phosphorus levels without phosphate binders in hemodialysis patients

Background and aims: Hyperphosphatemia constitutes one of the major problems faced by patients with chronic kidney disease, and nourishment plays a significant role in its control. The present study aimed to evaluate the maintenance of phosphorus serum levels by observing measurements before and after an intervention using the Phosphorus Counting Table (PCT), in hemodialysis patients lacking phosphate binder use. Methods: The assessment included fifty individuals on hemodialysis who underwent phosphate binder suspension 30 days prior to the intervention. The participants received food and nutrition education on the PCT tool, which assists in the control of dietary phosphorus intake, and followed its instructions for two months. Fasting blood samples were collected at three moments for phosphorus, total calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) analysis. The study sample was initially analyzed as a whole, then sub-classified into two groups: adherence and non-adherence. Results: At the end of the study, no significant difference in serum phosphorus was observed in the total and the adherence groups (p > 0.05). The non-adherence group showed a substantial increase of 0.74 mg/dL in serum phosphorus levels and 6.16 mg(2)/dL(2) in the calcium-phosphorus product after the intervention. Meanwhile, the calcium-phosphorus product improved from 56.42 +/- 11.49 mg(2)/dL(2) to 51.05 +/- 10.67 mg(2)/dL(2) in the adherence group. Serum calcium levels did not change throughout the study in the three groups. A significant increment in PTH serum levels was observed at the end of the study in all groups. Conclusion: The PCT showed to be efficient in the maintenance of serum phosphorus in the individuals who adhered well to the tool, without the administration of phosphate binders. Such a method can assist in patient adherence to treatment and enables better diet flexibility. (C) 2019 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.