title: C-reactive protein levels are associated with arterial media calcification in nondiabetic patients with end-stage renal disease on long-term hemodialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular calcifications (VC) are associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and are independent predictors of CV mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed to investigate the presence of arterial intima calcification (AIC) and arterial media calcification (AMC) in nondiabetic patients on long-term hemodialysis, and to assess the association with CV risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  34 ESRD patients (17 males) on hemodialysis for at least 5 years were evaluated for VC using B-mode ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AMC and AIC patterns were detected respectively in 62% and 59% of patients, and 21% had no VC. Patients with AIC were significantly older than those without AIC (p < 0.001). CRP levels (p < 0.001) were higher in patients with AMC. Using multivariate logistic analysis of regression, older age (> 50 years) and higher CRP levels (> 5 mg/l) were associated with AIC and AMC, respectively (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with CRP > 5 mg/l had a greater relative risk of having AMC (odds ratio 30, 95% confidence interval 27.041 - 32.959; p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography can be used to detect AIC and AMC, and could be useful for the early detection of VC. In nondiabetic patients who had been on hemodialysis for at least 5 years, older age was associated with AIC, and elevated CRP levels with AMC.
authors: Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Riuniti Hospital Anzio, and Renal Division, Baxter SPA, Rome, Italy. annibalemarinelli@virgilio.it
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Marinelli
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Orlandi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Stivali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011073:Polyamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D000069603:Sevelamer; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D011073:Polyamines; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069603:Sevelamer