Efficacy and tolerability of lanthanum carbonate in treatment of hyperphosphatemia patients receiving dialysis--a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lanthanum carbonate (LC) in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients.

METHODS

Multiple databases were used to recruit the published clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LC with placebo for hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients from inception to March 2013. Results were expressed using standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables and pooled odd ratios (OR) for dichotomous outcomes. Study quality was assessed according to Cochrane Handbook 5.1 guidelines and statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software.

RESULTS

A total of 950 patients in seven placebo-controlled RCTs were included. Results showed that LC could effectively controlled hyperphosphatemia compared with placebo (SMD -1.06, 95% CI -1.27- -0.86, P < 0.00001). The proportion of subjects reaching the target in the LC group was higher than that in the placebo group (OR 6.88, 95% CI 4.39-10.78, P < 0.00001). LC-treated patients showed less change in serum PTH and Ca × Pi product from baseline compared to the placebo group (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.48-0.06, P = 0.007; SMD -0.90, 95% CI -1.13- -0.66, P < 0.00001, respectively). LC-treated patients experienced more side-effects, like vomiting and nausea, than controls (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.35-7.08, P = 0.007; OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.22-6.19, P = 0.02, respectively). But overall, the incidence of drug-related adverse events was similar between placebo- and LC-treated patients (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.66-2.22, P = 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients, LC is well tolerated and more effective than placebo during short-term trials. Furthermore, it helps to maintain PTH and Ca × Pi product levels within recommended ranges. LC is an ideal choice for second-line treatment of hyperphosphatemia after therapy failure or other contraindication for calcium agents. Its long-term security still needs further research.