Pattern of Laboratory Parameters and Management of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Countries of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America

Introduction: This analysis explored laboratory mineral and bone disorder parameters and management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA. Methods: Analyses used demographic, medication, and laboratory data collected in the prospective Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (2012–2015). The analysis included 20,612 patients in 543 facilities. Descriptive data are presented as regional mean (standard deviation), median (interquartile range), or prevalence, weighted for facility sampling fraction. No testing of statistical hypotheses was conducted. Results: The frequency of serum intact parathyroid hormone levels > 600 pg/mL was lowest in Japan (1%) and highest in Russia (30%) and Saudi Arabia (27%). The frequency of serum phosphorus levels > 7.0 mg/dL was lowest in France (4%), the UK (6%), and Spain (6%), and highest in China (27%). The frequency of serum calcium levels > 10.0 mg/dL was highest in the UK (14%) and China (13%) versus 2% to 9% elsewhere. Dialysate calcium concentrations of 2.5 mEq/mL were common in the USA (78%) and Canada (71%); concentrations of 3.0–3.5 mEq/L were almost universal at facilities in Italy, France, and Saudi Arabia (each ≥ 99%). Conclusions: Wide international variation in mineral and bone disorder laboratory parameters and management practices related to secondary hyperparathyroidism suggests opportunities for optimizing care.