Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the relationship between inflammation and atheros clerosis by measuring high sensitive C-reactive protein in hemodialysis patients' blood. Methods The study population included 52 patients with ESRD on hemodialysis(HDgroup), 14 patients who were close to the start of dialysis treatment(CRFgroup) and 30 healthy subjects(Cgroup). The high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) concentration was detected by the latex-enhanced immunonephelometric assays. All patients and all healthy controls underwent the examination of carotid artery high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Results The mean hs-CRPlevel was highest in hemodialysis patients among the three groups(P=0.026). The mean hs-CRPlevel was higher in patients who have carotid plaques than those who haven't carotid plaques(2.34 mg/Lversus 0.98 mg/L, P=0.04). The result of stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis for HDgroup showed that (α=0.1) only hs-CRPlevels and smoke had significant correlation in this model. The mean hs-CRPlevel was higher in patients with cardiovascular disease than control group(6.37 mg/Lversus 1.43 mg/L, P= 0.02). The result of stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis (α=0.1) to determine the independent contribution of each factor to the risk of cardiovascular disease, only hs-CRP levels showed a significant correlation in this model. Conclusion The mean CRPlevel of hemodialysis patients is increased significantly. It suggests that CRPlevel was correlated with the progression of atherosclerosis.

Key words: atherogenesis, C-reactive protein, hemodialysis