Association between Serum Phosphate Levels and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Haemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between serum phosphate levels and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) among patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Nephrology Department, in collaboration with the Biochemistry department of Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, DG Khan/ DG Khan Medical College, DG Khan between July 2024 and January 2025.

Methodology: It is a cross-sectional analytical study and Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who were on maintainance hemodialysis were included. The sample size was estimated by the WHO sample size calculator, and 120 patients were picked by non-probability consecutive sampling. Informed consent was obtained and the patients who were aged 18 years or older, of either gender, who were on haemodialysis at least three months were enrolled. A structured proforma was used to record the demographic data, medical history and clinical data. Pre-dialysis blood samples were taken to determine the level of serum phosphates by using normal biochemical lab tests. A qualified cardiologist conducted echocardiography to measure the mass of the left ventricles and determine left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The SPSS version 25 was used to analyse the data. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between serum phosphate levels and LVH and p 0.05 was regarded as a significant association.

Results: Among the 120 patients, 72 (60%) were male and 48 (40%) were female, with a mean age of 52.6 ± 13.4 years. Elevated serum phosphate was found in 68 (56.7%) patients. LVH was present in 70 (58.3%) patients. A significantly higher prevalence of LVH was observed in patients with elevated phosphate levels (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the current study show that high serum phosphate level is strongly correlated with the occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy in haemodialysis patients. The timely identification and proper management of hyperphosphatemia could be used to help decrease cardiovascular events and improve the clinical outcome of patients with chronic kidney disease.