title: Homocystein as a risk factor for developing complications in chronic renal failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiovascular diseases are leading cause of death in patients with chronic renal failure. The aim of our study was to establish connection between levels of homocysteine and traditional and nontraditional risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases in dialysis and pre dialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 33 pre dialysis (23 in stage three and 10 in stage four of chronic kidney disease) and 43 patients receiving hemodialysis longer than six months. Besides standard laboratory parameters, levels of homocysteine and blood pressure were measured in all patients. Glomerular filtration rate was measured in pre dialysis patients and dialysis quality parameters in dialysis patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Homocysteine levels were elevated in all patients (19±5.42mmol/l). The connection between homocysteine levels and other cardiovascular diseases risk factors was not established in pre dialysis patients. In patients treated with hemodialysis we found negative correlation between homocysteine levels and patients' age (p<0.05) and positive correlation between homocysteine levels and length of dialysis (p<0.01) as well as between homocysteine and anemia parameters (erythrocytes, hemoglobin), (p<0.01). Homocysteine and LDL (and total cholesterol) were in negative correlation (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homocysteine, as one of nontraditional cardiovascular diseases risk factors, is elevated in all patients with chronic renal failure and it's positive correlation with some other risk factors was found.
authors.affiliation: International Dialysis Center Banjaluka, DC Laktasi, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Biljana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jakovljevic
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, University Hospital Clinical Center Banjaluka, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Branislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gasic
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Clinical Center Banjaluka, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Pedja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kovacevic
authors.affiliation: Department for Physiology, Medical School, University of Banjaluka, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Zvezdana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rajkovaca
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, University Hospital Clinical Center Banjaluka, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Tijana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kovacevic
keywords: cardiovascular diseases; hemodialysis; homocysteine