chronic kidney disease patients aged 18 to 80 years

chronic kidney disease stage 3 (defined as a glomerular filtration rate of 30-60 ml/min/1.73m2)

office blood pressure controlled to less than 140/90 mmhg for 12 months before entry into the study

total cholesterol less than 5.5 mmol/l

existing or previous treatment within 1 year with a phosphate binder or vitamin d analogue

uncontrolled hyperphosphataemia (serum phosphate >1.8 mmol/l)

uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism (pth >80 pg/ml)

diabetes mellitus

pregnancy

moderate-severe cardiac valvular disease