Direct oral anticoagulant medications in calciphylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that calciphylaxis is a thrombotic condition in which arteriolar thrombosis leads to painful skin infarcts and consequent morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, warfarin is implicated as a risk factor for calciphylaxis. Our objective is to report the use of oral direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors (termed direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) in patients with calciphylaxis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 16 patients with calciphylaxis who received concomitant administration of novel anticoagulants. Patient data, including demographics, comorbidities, other treatments, and adverse events, were abstracted from the health records. RESULTS: Eleven patients (69%) had chronic kidney disease (stage ≥3A), and eight (50%) received dialysis. Apixaban was the most frequently used agent (n = 11 [69%]). Dabigatran (n = 4 [25%]) and rivaroxaban (n = 2 [13%]) were reserved for patients with mild renal impairment (stage ≤2). One clinically relevant but nonmajor bleeding event occurred. There were no major bleeding events. Nine patients (56%) were alive at last follow-up, and five (31%) had complete resolution of their calciphylaxis (mean follow-up, 523 days; range, 26-1884 days). CONCLUSION: DOACs were safe and well tolerated in patients with calciphylaxis, in this initial experience. Several patients had improvement or resolution of calciphylaxis in response to therapy that included DOACs. The degree of renal impairment should guide DOAC choice. Randomized trials are required to determine treatment efficacy.

Survival, Risk Factors, and Effect of Treatment in 101 Patients With Calciphylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the survival and the associations of treatments upon survival of patients with calciphylaxis seen at a single center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis code of 275.49 and the keyword "calciphylaxis" in the dismissal narrative, we retrospectively identified 101 patients with calciphylaxis seen at our institution between January 1, 1999, through September 20, 2014, using a predefined, consensus-developed classification scheme. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 60 years: 81 (80.2%) were women; 68 (68.0%) were obese; 19 (18.8%) had stage 0 to 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD), 19 (18.9%) had stage 3 or 4 CKD; 63 (62.4%) had stage 5 or 5D (dialysis) CKD. Seventy-five patients died during follow-up. Six-month survival was 57%. Lack of surgical debridement was associated with insignificantly lower 6-month survival (hazard ratio [HR]=1.99; 95% CI, 0.96-4.15; P=.07) and significantly poorer survival for the entire duration of follow-up (HR=1.98; 95% CI, 1.15-3.41; P=.01), which was most pronounced in stage 5 or 5D CKD (HR=1.91; 95% CI, 1.03-3.56; P=.04). Among patients with stage 5/5D CKD, subtotal parathyroidectomy (performed only in patients with hyperparathyroidism) was associated with better 6-month (HR=0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.90; P=.04) and overall survival (HR= 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.87; P=.02). CONCLUSION: Calciphylaxis is associated with a high mortality rate. Significantly effective treatments included surgical debridement and subtotal parathyroidectomy in patients with stage 5/5D CKD with hyperparathyroidism. Treatments with tissue-plasminogen activator, sodium thiosulfate, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy were not associated with higher mortality.

Calciphylaxis: A Disease of Pannicular Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify coagulation risk factors in patients with calciphylaxis and the relationship between anticoagulation use and overall survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study subjects were 101 patients with calciphylaxis seen at Mayo Clinic from 1999 to September 2014. Data including thrombophilia profiles were extracted from the medical records of each patient. Survival status was determined using patient registration data and the Social Security Death Index. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and associations were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Sixty-four of the 101 patients underwent thrombophilia testing. Of these, a complete test panel was performed in 55 and a partial panel in 9. Severe thrombophilias observed in 60% (33 of 55) of the patients included antiphospholipid antibody syndrome protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiencies or combined thrombophilias. Of the 55 patients, severe thrombophilia (85%, 23 of 27) was noted in patients who were not on warfarin at the time of testing (27). Nonsevere thrombophilias included heterozygous factor V Leiden (n=2) and plasminogen deficiency (n=1). For the comparison of survival, patients were divided into 3 treatment categories: Warfarin (n=63), other anticoagulants (n=20), and no anticoagulants (n=18). There was no statistically significant survival difference between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Laboratory testing reveals a strikingly high prevalence of severe thrombophilias in patients with calciphylaxis, underscoring the importance of congenital and acquired thrombotic propensity potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of this disease. These findings may have therapeutic implications; however, to date, survival differences did not vary by therapeutic choice.

National Impact of Maintenance Dialysis or Renal Transplantation on Outcomes Following ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Though cardiovascular disease is an important cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease, epidemiology of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is less well described in this population. METHODS: This study included STEMI hospitalizations in patients aged ≥20 using Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database from 2006 to 2010. Primary outcomes were incidence and trends of STEMI hospitalizations based on renal function status. We also looked at utilization of revascularization procedures, all-cause-hospital mortality and predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Of the estimated 882,447 STEMI hospitalizations, 11,383 were on maintenance dialysis and 1,076 had renal transplants. The incidence of STEMI was over 7 times in patients on maintenance dialysis and 1.73 times in renal transplant recipients compared to the general population. This incidence has however declined in those on maintenance dialysis (p for trend <0.001) to a greater extent than the general population and patients with renal transplant. Utilization of revascularization procedures was lowest in patients on maintenance dialysis (51.6 vs. 73.3% in renal transplant recipients and 77.0% in general population; p < 0.001) and mortality was highest (21.6 vs. 10.9 vs. 6.8%; p < 0.001). Being on maintenance dialysis or having a renal transplant were both independent predictors of mortality in patients hospitalized with STEMI. There was a differential effect of cardiac catheterization on odds of mortality with lesser impact in patients on maintenance dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI hospitalizations are more common in patients on maintenance dialysis and with renal transplants. The utilization of revascularizations procedures remains low and mortality high in these patients.

Total Red Blood Cell Transfusions for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in a Single Center, 2009-2013.

BACKGROUND: Anemia management in chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been affected by the implementation of the prospective payment system (PPS) and changes in clinical guidelines. These factors could impact red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in HD patients. Our distinctive care system contains complete records for all RBC transfusions among our HD patients. AIMS: To determine RBC transfusions in patients with prevalent chronic HD, site of administration (inpatient or outpatient), and ordering physician specialty for inpatients; compare pre- and post-PPS RBC transfusions; and compare RBC transfusions during changes in desired outpatient hemoglobin (Hb) range for patients with chronic HD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical and blood bank records for patients with prevalent chronic HD July 2009 through June 2013. RESULTS: In total, 310-356 patients were studied. Mean (SD) units of RBCs per 100 patients per month for the study's 48 months were outpatient, 2.6 (1.5), and inpatient, 9.4 (4.6). Outpatient pre-PPS RBC units transfused were 2.1 (0.6) vs. post-PPS of 2.6 (1.5; p = 0.22, t test); for inpatients pre-PPS, 7.9 (4.5) RBC units per month vs. post-PPS, 11.5 (5.1; p = 0.11, t test). Inpatient RBC transfusions accounted for 75.2% (14.2%) of all RBC transfusions; 67.3% (16.3%) of inpatient transfusions were ordered by nonnephrologists. Changes in desired Hb range for outpatient HD patients did not lead to changes in RBC transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: No changes in RBC transfusions occurred among our patients with chronic HD with PPS implementation and in desired Hb range during the study period. Most transfusions were given in inpatient settings by nonnephrologists.

Predictors of outpatient kidney function recovery among patients who initiate hemodialysis in the hospital.

BACKGROUND: Recent policy clarifications by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have changed access to outpatient dialysis care at end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities for individuals with acute kidney injury in the United States. Tools to predict "ESRD" and "acute" status in terms of kidney function recovery among patients who previously initiated dialysis therapy in the hospital could help inform patient management decisions. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Incident hemodialysis patients in the Mayo Clinic Health System who initiated in-hospital renal replacement therapy (RRT) and continued outpatient dialysis following hospital dismissal (2006 through 2009). PREDICTOR: Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), acute tubular necrosis from sepsis or surgery, heart failure, intensive care unit, and dialysis access. OUTCOMES: Kidney function recovery defined as sufficient kidney function for outpatient hemodialysis therapy discontinuation. RESULTS: Cohort consisted of 281 patients with a mean age of 64 years, 63% men, 45% with heart failure, and baseline eGFR≥30mL/min/1.73m(2) in 46%. During a median of 8 months, 52 (19%) recovered, most (94%) within 6 months. Higher baseline eGFR (HR per 10-mL/min/1.73m(2) increase eGFR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16-1.39; P<0.001), acute tubular necrosis from sepsis or surgery (HR, 3.34; 95% CI, 1.83-6.24; P<0.001), and heart failure (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.78, P=0.007) were independent predictors of recovery within 6 months, whereas first RRT in the intensive care unit and catheter dialysis access were not. There was a positive interaction between absence of heart failure and eGFR≥30mL/min/1.73m(2) for predicting kidney function recovery (P<0.001). LIMITATIONS: Sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney function recovery in the outpatient hemodialysis unit following in-hospital RRT initiation is not rare. As expected, higher baseline eGFR is an important determinant of recovery. However, patients with heart failure are less likely to recover even with a higher baseline eGFR. Consideration of these factors at hospital discharge informs decisions on ESRD status designation and long-term hemodialysis care.

Biomedical system dynamics to improve anemia control with darbepoetin alfa in long-term hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of a biomedical system dynamics (BMSD) approach for optimization of anemia management in long-term hemodialysis patients because elevated hemoglobin levels and high doses of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) may negatively affect survival in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A model of erythropoiesis and its response to ESAs on the basis of a BMSD method (Mayo Clinic Anemia Management System [MCAMS]) was developed. Thereafter, an open-label, prospective, nonrandomized practice quality improvement project was performed with retrospective analysis in 8 community-based outpatient hemodialysis facilities. All prevalent hemodialysis patients seen from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2010 (300-342 patients per month), were included with darbepoetin as the ESA. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who attained the desired hemoglobin level. Secondary outcome measures included the percentage of patients with hemoglobin values above the desired range and mean dose of darbepoetin used. RESULTS: The 3 treatment periods were (1) standard ESA protocol in 2007, (2) transition to the MCAMS (2008 to June 2009), and (3) stability period with the MCAMS used in all hemodialysis facilities (2009 to 2010). In the first 6 months of 2007, 69% of patients were in the desired range and 26% were above the range. In comparison, during the first 5 months of 2010, 83% were in and 6% were above the range (P<.001). The mean monthly darbepoetin dose per patient decreased from 304 µg in 2007 to 173 µg by the second half of 2009 (P<.001). CONCLUSION: With the introduction of the MCAMS, more patients had hemoglobin levels in the desired range and fewer patients exceeded the target range, with a concomitant 40% reduction in darbepoetin use.

Development of reduced kidney function in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a variety of kidney disorders. However, it is unclear whether the development of reduced kidney function is higher in patients with RA compared to the general population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Incident adult-onset RA cases (813) and a comparison cohort of non-RA individuals (813) in Olmsted County, MN, in 1980-2007. PREDICTOR: Baseline demographic and clinical variables. OUTCOMES: Reduced kidney function: (1) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60mL/min/1.73m(2) and (2) eGFR<45mL/min/1.73m(2) on 2 consecutive occasions at least 90 days apart; cardiovascular disease (CVD); and death. MEASUREMENTS: The cumulative incidence of reduced kidney function was estimated adjusting for the competing risk of death. RESULTS: Of 813 patients with RA and 813 non-RA individuals, mean age was 56±16 (SD) years, 68% were women, and 9% had reduced kidney function at baseline. The 20-year cumulative incidence of reduced kidney function was higher in patients with RA compared with non-RA participants for eGFR < 60mL/min/1.73m(2) (25% vs 20%; P=0.03), but not eGFR<45mL/min/1.73m(2) (9% vs 10%; P=0.8). The presence of CVD at baseline (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.14-2.73; P=0.01) and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with RA (HR per 10-mm/h increase, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16; P=0.04) was associated with increased risk of eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2). eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2) was not associated with increased risk of CVD development in patients with RA (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63-1.57; P=0.9), however, a greater reduction in GFR (eGFR<45mL/min/1.73m(2)) was associated with increased risk of CVD (HR, 1.93; CI, 1.04-3.58; P=0.04). LIMITATIONS: Reduced kidney function was defined by estimating equations for kidney function. We are limited to deriving associations from our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RA were more likely to develop reduced kidney function over time. CVD and associated factors appear to play a role. The presence of RA in individuals with reduced kidney function may lead to an increase in morbidity from CVD development, for which awareness may provide a means for optimizing care.

Risk factors for hospitalization among older, incident haemodialysis patients.

AIMS: The number of elderly persons with end-stage renal disease is increasing with many requiring hospitalizations. This study examines the causes and predictors of hospitalization in older haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We reviewed hospitalizations of older (≥65 years) incident chronic haemodialysis patients initiating therapy between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2009 under the care of a single Midwestern United States dialysis provider. RESULTS: Of 125 patients, the mean age was 76 ± 7 years and 72% were male. At first dialysis, 68% used a central venous catheter (CVC) and 51% were in the hospital. Mean follow-up was 1.8 ± 1.0 years. At least one hospitalization occurred in 89 (71%) patients and half of all patients were hospitalized once within the first 223 days. Total hospital admission rate was 1.48 per patient year with hospital days totalling 8.54 days per patient year. The three most common reasons for first admission were cardiac (33%), infection (18%) and gastrointestinal (12%). Predictors of future hospitalization included the first dialysis occurring in hospital (hazard ratios (HR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.3, P = 0.0005) and the use of a CVC at first haemodialysis (HR 2.6, CI 1.6-4.4, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Hospitalizations are common in older incident haemodialysis patients. Access preparation and overall burden of illness leading to the initial hospitalization appear to play a role. Identification of additional factors associated with hospitalization will allow for focused interventions to reduce hospitalization rates and increase the value of care.

Effects of ozone in normal human epidermal keratinocytes.

Ozone is a tropospheric pollutant that can form at ground level as a result of an interaction between sunlight and hydrocarbon engine emissions. As ozone is an extremely oxidative reaction product, epidermal cells are in the outer layer of defense against ozone. We exposed normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) to concentrations of ozone that have been measured in cities and assayed for its effects. Hydrogen peroxide and IL-1α levels both increased while ATP levels decreased. We found a decrease in the NAD-dependent histone deacetylase, sirtuin 3. Lastly, we found that ozone increased DNA damage as evaluated by Comet assay. Taken together, our results show increased damage to NHEK that will ultimately impair normal cellular function as a result of an environmentally relevant ozone exposure.

Outcomes of arteriovenous fistula creation after the Fistula First Initiative.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred hemodialysis access, but AVF-failure rate is high, and complications from AVF placement are rarely reported. There is no clear consensus on predictors of AVF patency. This study determined AVF outcomes and patency predictors at Mayo Clinic Rochester following the Fistula First Initiative. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A retrospective cohort study of AVFs placed at Mayo Clinic from January 2006 through December 2008 was performed. The AVF placement-associated primary and secondary failure rates, complications, interventions, and hospitalizations were examined. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine primary and secondary patency and associated predictors. RESULTS: During this time frame, 317 AVFs were placed in 293 individual patients. The primary failure rate was 37.1% after excluding patients not initiated on hemodialysis during follow-up (n = 38) or those with indeterminate outcome (37 lost to follow-up; six died; two transplanted). Of usable AVFs, 11.4% later failed. AVF creation incurred complications and hospitalization in 21.2% and 12.3% of patients, respectively. The risk for reduced primary patency was increased by diabetes (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.07); the risk for reduced primary and secondary patency was decreased with larger arteries (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.94; and HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.84, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Primary failure remains a major issue in the post-Fistula First era. Complications from AVF placement must be considered when planning AVF placement. Our data demonstrate that artery size is the main predictor of AVF patency.

Use of renal function measurements for assessing fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether factors associated with moderate chronic kidney disease can be used to independently predict fracture risk in postmenopausal white women by analyzing the effect of adding renal function measurements to traditional risk factors (eg, age, body weight, bone mineral density) for fracture risk assessment. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, population-based cohort study, postmenopausal women residing in Rochester, MN, with baseline measurements of bone mineral density and renal function were followed up for as long as 25 years for occurrence of fractures. Participants were enrolled in 1980-1984 or 1991-1993, and outcomes were analyzed in 2007. Standardized incidence ratios were used to compare the number of observed fractures with the number of predicted fractures, and potential risk factors were evaluated with Andersen-Gill time-to-fracture regression models. RESULTS: During 5948 person-years of follow-up of 427 women, 254 women (59.5%) experienced a total of 563 fractures, 394 (70.0%) of which resulted from moderate trauma. Excluding incidentally diagnosed fractures, the 186 clinically diagnosed fractures were statistically undifferentiated from the 195 predicted fractures (standardized incidence ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.10). No significant trends were observed toward increasing fracture risk with inclusion of quintiles of declining renal function (P>.10). In univariate analyses, serum creatinine concentration, creatinine clearance rate, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with greater risk of some fractures. In multivariate analyses, however, decreasing renal function was not found to be a significant risk factor, after adjusting for age, body weight, and bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: The addition of serum creatinine concentration, creatinine clearance rate, or estimated glomerular filtration rate does not improve fracture risk prediction in postmenopausal white women who have moderate chronic kidney disease. This result can be partly explained by the fact that important risk factors for decreased renal function (eg, advanced age, lower body weight) are already accounted for in most fracture prediction models.

Calciphylaxis: natural history, risk factor analysis, and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Calciphylaxis is characterized by ischemic cutaneous ulceration, high mortality, and ineffective treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 64 patients with calciphylaxis (including 49 dialysis patients age- and sex-matched to 98 dialysis controls). RESULTS: The estimated 1-year survival rate of calciphylaxis was 45.8%. Risk factors for calciphylaxis included obesity, liver disease, systemic corticosteroid use, calcium-phosphate product more than 70 mg(2)/dL(2), and serum aluminum greater than 25 ng/mL. Survival rates were similar for 16 patients who received parathyroidectomy and 47 who did not. An estimated 1-year survival rate of 61.6% was observed for 17 patients receiving surgical debridement compared with 27.4% for the 46 who did not (P = .008). LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its retrospective design and there was no control group for the 15 nondialysis cases. CONCLUSIONS: Calciphylaxis is multifactorial and usually fatal. Prevention of calciphylaxis may include correction of risk factors identified in this study. Surgical debridement was associated with improved survival, but parathyroidectomy was not.

Total hip arthroplasty in patients with renal failure: a comparison between transplant and dialysis patients.

This study analyzed the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) from a single institution of patients with renal failure, including renal dialysis patients (9 patients, 9 hips) and renal transplant patients (28 patients, 36 hips). There were 12 revisions and a 61% complication rate in the transplant group. In the dialysis group, 1 patient was revised, and there was a 33% complication rate. Transplant patients were younger, more active, and lived longer, but had higher cumulative rates of revision and complications with longer follow-up. Dialysis patients, in contrast, had a short survival but a lower rate of complications and revisions. These data differ from previous reports of acceptable outcomes with low complication rates of THA in transplant patients. Efforts to minimize complications in these patients are justified.

Association of heparin-dependent antibodies and adverse outcomes in hemodialysis patients: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether some adverse outcomes of hemodialysis could be explained by subclinical heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay In a population-based cohort of hemodlalysis patients. Participants were then followed up prospectively for thromboembollc events, cardiovascular events, or death. RESULTS: Of the 59 hemodialysis patients residing In Olmsted County, Minnesota, 57 (97%) agreed to study participation. The mean +/- SD age of the patients was 64 +/- 17 years (median hemodialysis duration, 23 months), and 27 (47%) were women. The enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay was positive for PF4-heparin antibodies in 2 patients (3.5%). The PF4-heparin antibody content varied over a 10-fold range and was not associated with the duration of hemodialysis (P = .99). During a median follow-up of 798 days, 16 thrombotic events, 37 cardiovascular events, and 23 deaths (Including 13 cardiovascular deaths) occurred. After adjusting for the Framingham risk score, the all-cause mortality rate was significantly higher for patients with the highest tertile of PF4-heparln antibody content compared with patients in the lower tertilles (hazard ratio, 2.47; P = .03). Furthermore, 8 (73%) of deaths in this tertile were due to cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 4.14; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Despite repetitive heparin exposure, the prevalence of HIT In patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is no greater than that anticipated for other patient populations. However, to our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association between elevated PF4-heparin antibodies and Increased mortality rates in hemodlalysis patients.

Magnitude and impact of abnormal mineral metabolism in hemodialysis patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

BACKGROUND: Mineral metabolism has emerged as an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients, independent of bone and muscle concerns. Several expert panels have issued management guidelines for mineral metabolism. METHODS: The state of mineral metabolism (serum parathyroid hormone [PTH], phosphorus, calcium, and calcium-phosphorus product) was described for representative samples of patients and facilities from 7 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States) participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS I, 1996-2001; DOPPS II, 2002-2004). RESULTS: A relatively modest percentage of patients fell within the guideline range for PTH (21.4% in DOPPS I, 26.2% in DOPPS II), serum phosphorus (40.8%, 44.4%), albumin-corrected serum calcium (40.5%, 42.5%), and calcium-phosphorus product (56.6%, 61.4%). Results were not dramatically different across countries. The majority of patients not within guideline ranges had high serum levels of phosphorus (51.6% in DOPPS I, 46.7% in DOPPS II), calcium (50.1%, 48.6%), and calcium-phosphorus product (43.4%, 38.6%) and low (<150 pg/mL) concentrations of PTH (52.9%, 47.5%). It was rare for patients to fall within recommended ranges for all indicators of mineral metabolism; 23% to 28% fell within guideline for at least 3 measures and only 4.6% to 5.5% of patients were within range for all 4. The risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were directly and independently associated with each of the 4 indicators. CONCLUSION: The DOPPS provides a useful comparison benchmark for the state of mineral metabolism management of patients with kidney disease; it also affirms the association between mineral metabolism and important patient outcomes.