title: Serum C-reactive protein level is associated with renal function and it affects echocardiographic cardiovascular disease in pre-dialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Relevance of serum CRP for morbidity and mortality in pre-dialysis patients has not been assessed extensively. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of elevated serum CRP in pre-dialysis patients and to identify the factors that associate with serum CRP. We were also evaluated the effects of serum CRP on cardiovascular disease, anemia, and nutritional markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eight pre-dialysis patients with a mean creatinine clearance (CrCl) of 30.1 ml/min were included in the study. Data collected from each patient included demographics, co-morbidity, medications, blood pressures, blood biochemistry including serum CRP, renal function, and echocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum CRP was elevated (>5 mg/l) in 43 patients (39.8%). There was a negative correlation between serum CRP and CrCl (r = -0.370, p < 0.001). CrCl was the unique independent factor affecting serum CRP. Serum CRP was an independent factor affecting left ventricular mass index, fractional shortening, serum albumin and hematocrit in multivariate analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of elevated serum CRP in pre-dialysis patients is high. Reduced renal clearance of CRP and/or cytokines may contribute to the inflammatory status. Elevated serum CRP is an important cause of morbidity in pre-dialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. ates@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ateş
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Sim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kutlay
authors.forename: Aşkin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ateş
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nergizoğlu
authors.forename: Sehsuvar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erturk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003404:Creatinine