Kidney function and estimated vascular risk in patients with primary dyslipidemia.
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased vascular risk. Some studies suggested that considering markers of CKD might improve the predictive accuracy of the Framingham risk equation.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the links between kidney function and risk stratification in patients with primary dyslipidemia.


METHODS
Dyslipidemic patients (n = 156; 83 men) who were non-smokers, did not have diabetes mellitus or evident vascular disease and were not on lipid-lowering or antihypertensive agents were recruited. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. We estimated vascular risk using the Framingham equation.


RESULTS
In both men and women, there was a significant negative correlation between estimated Framingham risk and both eGFR and CrCl (p < 0.001 for all correlations). When men were divided according to creatinine tertiles, there were no significant differences in any parameter between groups. When men were divided according to either eGFR or CrCl tertiles, all estimated Framingham risks significantly increased as renal function declined (p<0.001 for all trends). When women were divided according to creatinine tertiles, all estimated Framingham risks except for stroke significantly increased as creatinine levels increased. When women were divided according to either eGFR or CrCl tertiles, all estimated Framingham risks significantly increased as renal function declined.


CONCLUSIONS
Estimated vascular risk increases as renal function declines. The possibility that incorporating kidney function in the Framingham equation will improve risk stratification requires further evaluation.
Tziomalos
Konstantinos
K
Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Prevention Clinic) and Department of Surgery, Royal Free Campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
Ganotakis
Emmanuel S
ES
Gazi
Irene F
IF
Nair
Devaki R
DR
Mikhailidis
Dimitri P
DP