Secondary hyperparathyroidism, weight loss, and longer term mortality in haemodialysis patients: results from the DOPPS.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism may be a novel mechanism of wasting, corroborating experimental data, and, among chronic dialysis patients, this pathway may be a mediator between elevated PTH levels and mortality. Future research should determine whether PTH-lowering therapy can limit weight loss and improve longer term dialysis outcomes.