Subjects were adult (age 18 years) patients
receiving maintenance hemodialysis enrolled in a randomized
clinical trial comparing calcium-based phosphate binders
(calcium carbonate or calcium acetate) with sevelamer
hydrochloride, a non-calcium, non-aluminum-containing
polymer. There were 15 participating dialysis centers: seven
in the U.S. and eight in western Europe. Subjects with the
following history were excluded from participation: serious
gastrointestinal disease (including dysphagia,