title: Coronary artery calcification and outcomes in diabetic patients with and without chronic kidney disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Presence and progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) indicate severe atherosclerosis and predict cardiovascular events (CVE) in dialysis (ESRD patients) and nondialysis patients (CKD patients). This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence and progression of CAC and CVE in CKD patients with diabetes in whom atherosclerosis of coronary arteries is the leading cause of CVE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study conducted in both out- and in-patients with chronic kidney disease, stage 2-5. CAC were assessed by the total calcium (TC) score. CT scans were performed at the entry and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients (n = 341) were divided into nondiabetic (n = 281) and diabetic patients (n = 60). CAC prevalence and TC score were higher in diabetics and associated with age, diabetes mellitus and pulse pressure. Diabetics with CKD presented a higher percentage of CAC progression and CVE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence, extent, progression of CAC and CVE are higher in diabetics with concomitant CKD. These findings may promote a more aggressive protocol of screening and care in type 2 diabetics with concomitant CKD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy. domenicorusso51@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: L F P
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Morrone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imbriaco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pota
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scognamiglio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology