Aluminum monitoring for chronic renal failure patients in Kuwait

Abstract EN

The importance of monitoring serum aluminum (Al) level in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis (HD) is well known.

This study on 94 HD patients from Mubarak Hospital, Kuwait revealed that serum Al level was significantly higher in HD patients on aluminum hydroxide therapy (n = 57) than those not on this treatment (n = 37) (p = < 0.001).

None of the patients showed levels > 100 ug/L.

Analysis of water and dialysis fluid showed Al levels just above the permissible limit, on certain occasions, suggesting the need for regular monitoring of these substances for Al contamination.

Patients on HD for longer than five years and those above the age of 50 years had higher serum Al levels.

The most important single factor causing elevated serum Al levels in the study patients was aluminum hydroxide therapy, administered orally as a phosphate binder.