Meta-analysis investigating the impact of a phosphate-specific diet on serum phosphate levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of a phosphate-specific diet on the serum phosphate levels of individuals undergoing hemodialysis. Methods a systematic literature search was conducted until November 2021, resulting in the inclusion of 14 studies comprising 1284 adults undergoing hemodialysis at the study's commencement. Among them, 671 were assigned to a phosphate-specific diet group, while 613 served as the control. The researchers documented correlations between the effects of a diet focused on phosphates and the levels of phosphates in the blood of persons who were undergoing hemodialysis. Employing the contentious method with a random or fixed-effect model, we computed the mean difference (MD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the effect of a phosphate-specific diet on serum phosphate levels in this population. In adults undergoing hemodialysis, a phosphate-specific diet exhibited a significantly more favorable change in serum phosphate levels (MD, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.36, p < 0.001), accompanied by moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 71%) when compared to the control group. In adults undergoing hemodialysis, a phosphate-specific diet resulted in a significantly reduced change in serum phosphate levels compared to the control. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and enhance confidence in the results.