Background: Hyperphosphatemia is a common problem in hemodialysis patients for which various binders are used to control this problem.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the effect of magnesium oxide on controlling serum phosphorus levels and evaluate its side effects.
Patients and Methods: We studied 39 hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, trial and control. The trial group received magnesium oxide. Its dose was titrated according to weekly magnesium levels that were checked for 4 weeks. Phosphorous was also checked weekly in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15 software. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: A total of 27 males and 12 females with a mean age 54.01 ± 17.20 years were divided into the trial (21 patients) and control (18 patients) groups. Serum phosphorous levels did not significantly decrease (P = 0.994). However the mean phosphorous level in females showed significant correlation with time, as a significant quadratic trend throughout time was observed (P = 0.001). A significant ascending trend in mean magnesium levels was observed in the trial group compared to the control group at the end of the study (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Although magnesium oxide was well tolerated by the study patients and lacked serious complications, it could not decrease phosphorous levels. In order to better assess these results we recommend that larger, multicenter studies with longer follow up that uses other magnesium compounds be designed.