Effectiveness of cinacalcet in combination with calcitriol for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with maintenance hemodialysis

One hundred and twenty maintenance hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism were randomly assigned to receive cinacalce, calcitriol or combination of cinacalce and cacitriol for treatment, with 40 cases in each group. Patients were followed up for 12 months; and the blood tests, echocardiography, examinations for osteoporosis and soft tissue calcification were performed every month. After 3 months of treatment, the serum levels of parathyroid hormone were decreased in all three groups (P<0.01); while the parathyroid hormone decreased more markedly with less influence on serum calcium and phosphorus levels in combination group. There were no significant changes in alkaline phosphatase, osteoporosis and cardiac valve calcification after treatment, compared with before treatment. There were no cases of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia appearing in combination group after treatment. The study indicates that the combination of cinacalcet with calcitriol has better therapeutic effect for treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in maintenance dialysis patients. Key words: Hemodialysis; Secondary hyperparathyroidism; Cinacalcet; Calcitriol