Tests intensive versus liberal phosphate targets in adults on dialysis for kidney failure
Compares two blood phosphate targets in adults with kidney failure receiving dialysis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Pragmatic Randomised Trial of High Or Standard PHosphAte Targets in End-stage Kidney Disease (PHOSPHATE)
Key facts
- Where
- Adelaide, Armadale, Bedford Park, Birtinya, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Camperdown, Heidelberg, Hervey Bay, Kingswood, Kogarah, Mackay, Meadowbrook, Melbourne, Saint Leonards, Southport, Townsville, Traralgon, Westmead, and Wollongong, AustraliaSee the 23 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with end-stage kidney disease who have been on dialysis for at least 3 months and take a medicine that lowers phosphate. It compares a high and a low blood phosphate target.
- Age
- 45 years or older, or 18 years or older if you have diabetes.
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- End-stage kidney disease treated with haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for at least 3 months.
- Earlier treatment
- Must currently take at least one phosphate-lowering medicine, at any dose.
Main reasons for not taking part
- A kidney transplant is planned and scheduled
- Another serious illness that may cause death within the next 6 months, in the treating doctor's view
- Taking part in another study likely to change blood phosphate levels
- Not able to give informed consent
This trial only enrols participants on dialysis. The registry sentence this rests on: ESKD on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, for at least 3 months,
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Australia
- Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplant ServiceAdelaide, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Armadale HospitalArmadale, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Flinders Medical CentreBedford Park, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Sunshine Coast University HospitalBirtinya, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbane, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Royal Brisbane and Women's HospitalBrisbane, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Bundaberg HospitalBundaberg, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Cairns HospitalCairns, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Royal Prince Alfred HosptialCamperdown, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Austin HealthHeidelberg, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Fraser Coast Renal ServiceHervey Bay, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Nepean HospitalKingswood, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- St George HospitalKogarah, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Mackay HospitalMackay, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Logan HospitalMeadowbrook, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourne, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- St Vincent's Hospital MelbourneMelbourne, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Royal North Shore HospitalSaint Leonards, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Gold Coast University HospitalSouthport, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Townsville University HospitalTownsville, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Latrobe Regional HospitalTraralgon, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Western Sydney Renal ServiceWestmead, AustraliaNo longer taking part
- Wollongong HospitalWollongong, AustraliaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The University of Queensland
- Trial code
- NCT03573089
- Record updated
- 26 August 2026
- Original description
During end-stage kidney disease, clinical guidelines suggest reducing elevated phosphate levels in the blood. However, the effect of lowering blood phosphate levels on important patient-centred outcomes has never been tested. This trial will evaluate whether compared to high levels, lowering blood phosphate levels would reduce death or major events due to heart disease, improve physical health, and be cost-effective.Read full original descriptionShow less
An Investigator-initiated, International, Multi-centre, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label, Parallel-group, Superiority, and Pragmatic Large Simple Trial (LST) to Determine Whether the Currently Recommended Strategy of Intensive Reduction of Serum Phosphate Concentration Towards the Normal Level Results in Significant Patient-centred Benefits in End-stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Patients Receiving Dialysis.
During end-stage kidney disease, clinical guidelines suggest reducing elevated phosphate levels in the blood. However, the effect of lowering blood phosphate levels on important patient-centred outcomes has never been tested. This trial will evaluate whether compared to high levels, lowering blood phosphate levels would reduce death or major events due to heart disease, improve physical health, and be cost-effective.
Inclusion: Age ≥45 years, or Age ≥18 years with diabetes,; ESKD on haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, for at least 3 months,; Currently prescribed at least one phosphate-lowering medication at any dose; Able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion: Elective kidney transplantation scheduled,; Concomitant major illness / comorbidity that may result in death in the next 6 months in the view of the treating physician,; Participation in an interventional study that is likely to affect serum phosphate concentration.