Association of leptin with hemodialysis-related muscle cramps: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of muscle cramp in hemodialysis patients is not well understood. Leptin, a middle molecule uremic toxin, is able to affect neuronal activity. This study aimed to determine the association between leptin and hemodialysis-related muscle cramps.


METHODS
A total of 79 hemodialysis patients were enrolled. The episodes of hemodialysis-related muscle cramps were recorded over a 28-day period. Serum levels of leptin were measured on the 15th day, a mid-week dialysis session.


RESULTS
Frequent hemodialysis-related cramps were associated with old age and elevated serum leptin levels. The risk of frequent hemodialysis-related cramps increased with increasing tertiles of leptin concentration. This relationship remained significant after adjustment for age, mean ultrafiltration ratio, gender, body mass index, insulin, resistin, c-reactive protein, albumin, peripheral arterial disease, electrolytes, and beta(2)-microglobulin.


CONCLUSIONS
Leptin levels are associated with frequent hemodialysis-related cramps. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Hung
Chung-Ying
CY
Division of Nephrology, Hsinchu Branch of Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
Chen
Yung-Liang
YL
Chen
Chiou-Shya
CS
Yang
Chwei-Shiun
CS
Peng
Sheng-Jeng
SJ
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000209:etiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*
D020738:Leptin