Effect of parathyroid hormone levels on the functional capacity and pulmonary function of patients on dialysis

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is characterized as the gradual loss of kidney function, with patients on dialysis experiencing a decline in functional capacity and pulmonary function. One of the non-traditional risk factors is parathyroid hormone (PTH), which influences metabolism and the status of the disease. Objective: Assess the effect of parathyroid hormone levels on functional capacity and pulmonary function in patients on dialysis. Method: Cross-sectional study with hemodynamically stable dialysis patients of both sexes, aged 18 to 59 years, who did not gain more than 2.5kg between dialysis sessions. Two groups were created according to PTH blood levels: PTH (A), with values outside the normal range, and PTH (C), who exhibited normal levels of the hormone. Pulmonary function (PF) was assessed by spirometry and functional capacity (FC) via the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: The PTH A group displayed a negative association between PTH levels and PF, based on the values obtained for the spirometric variables forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (r = -0.54) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r= -0.69). The average distance walked by the PTH (C) group was 343.85 ± 98.14 meters. Conclusion: The results suggest that high PTH levels have a negative effect on the PF of patients on dialysis.