Background
Little is known about the effects of phosphorus additives on patients with kidney disease.
Study Design
Randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial
Setting & Participants
31 adults with early stages of presumed chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73m2; urine albumin-creatinine ratio [ACR] sex-specific cut points: men ≥ 17 mg/g, women ≥ 25 mg/g).
Intervention
Higher vs lower phosphorus intake for 3 weeks. Higher phosphorus intake was achieved by addition of commercially available diet beverages and breakfast bars to diet.
Outcomes
Change in 24-hour urine albumin excretion and plasma fibroblast growth factor 23
Measurements
Two 24-hour urine collections and a single fasting blood draw at the end of each period.
Results
Mean baseline values of phosphorus intake, 24-hour urine phosphorus excretion, and eGFR were 1113 ± 549 (SD) mg/d, 688 ± 300 mg/d, and 74.6 ± 22.0 ml/min/1.73m2. Median albuminuria was 82.7 (IQR, 39.6–174.1) mg/d. While phosphorus intake from study products increased by 993 mg/d (p<0.001) during the higher compared to lower phosphorus additive period, background phosphorus intake decreased by 151 mg/d (p=0.004). Higher phosphorus additive consumption increased 24-hour urine phosphorus excretion by 505 (95% CI, 381–629) mg/d (p<0.001), but did not significantly increase albuminuria (higher vs lower: 14.3%; 95% CI, −2.5% to 34.0%; p=0.1) or fibroblast growth factor 23 (higher vs lower: 3.4%; 95% CI, −5.9% to 13.6%; p=0.4).
Limitations
Small sample size, short duration of intervention, changes in background diet during the intervention
Conclusions
A 3-week consumption of higher phosphorus food additives did not significantly increase albuminuria. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.