title: Vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective was to investigate the status of vascular calcification, and to explore factors influencing vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vascular calcification was quantitatively evaluated using radiographic films of the abdomen, pelvis and hands. Plasma fetuin-A and other parameters related to calcification were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  33/50 cases of vascular calcification were identified by radiographic film. Calcifications of the abdominal aorta and peripheral muscular arteries were seen in 90.9 and 36.4%. Patients with moderate to severe calcification were older, more likely to be male, had lower diastolic blood pressure and fetuin-A levels, and a higher incidence of diabetes than those with mild calcification. Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes and plasma fetuin-A were independent risk factors for vascular calcification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular calcification was present in a large proportion of maintenance hemodialysis patients, most frequently in the abdominal aorta. Diabetes and plasma fetuin-A levels were independent risk factors for vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, The People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Mi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Liang-Ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Si-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang