Phosphorus and the Kidney: What Is Known and What Is Needed

A major role of the kidneys is to maintain phosphorus homeostasis. High serum phosphorus has been linked to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) both before and after initiation of renal replacement therapy. Considering the clinical implications of uncontrolled hyperphosphatemia, maintenance of phosphorus concentrations within an optimum range is standard of care in this patient population. Recently, the epidemiologic associations between serum phosphorus and worse outcome have been extended to the general population. This becomes even more important in view of the increasing dietary phosphorus intake in the American diet due in large part to the greater consumption of foods processed with phosphate additives. A greater understanding of mechanisms and epidemiology of altered phosphorus metabolism and disease in CKD may help clarify the possible role of excess dietary phosphorus as a health risk factor in the general population.