Abstract: Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of mineral and bone disease pattern in elderly hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was based on clinical records of 109 maintenance hemodialysis patients. They were divided into two groups by age: elderly group (age >65,
median age =72 years, n=46) and non-elderly group (age <65, median age =50 years, n=63). Serum phosphorus, calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and C- reactive protein were measured. Urea clearance rate (URR) and Kt/V were calculated. These parameters were compared between the two groups. Results Elderly patients exhibited lower serum phosphorus (1.65 + 0.52 mmol/L vs. 2.03 + 0.65 mmol/L; t=3.270, P= 0.001), serum alkaline phosphatase [74.50 (60.75～74.50) U/L vs. 91.00 (69.00～135.00) U/L; Z=-2.7777, P= 0.005] and parathyroid hormone [74.50(60.75～74.50) pg/ml vs. 91.00 (69.00～135.00) pg/ml; Z=-2.7777, P= 0.005) as compared with those in the non-elderly group. However, serum calcium, hemoglobin, URR, Kt/V, dry body weight and hemodialysis age were similar between the two groups. Elderly patients also had lower serum albumin (37.23±3.23 g/l vs. 38.93±2.78 g/l; t=2.933, P=0.004) and serum triglyceride (1.49±0.79 mmol/ L vs. 1.87 ± 0.92 mmol/l; t=2.260, P=0.026), and less a Cctive vitamin D derivatives usage (39.13% vs. 68.25%; χ2=9.150, P=0.002) and active vitamin D dosage [0.50 (0.25～0.50) μg/d vs. 0.50 (0.50～1.00) μg/d; Z = -3.544, P=0.000). Conclusions Serum phosphorus, iPTH and alkaline phosphatase levels were lower in elderly hemodialysis group than in non-elderly hemodialysis group. But serum calcium was similar between the two groups.

Key words: haemodialysis, mineral and bone disease, elder