Abstract
In hemodialysis (HD) patients, elevated serum C-rective protein (CRP) levels have significant associations with hypoalbuminemia, malnutrition, morbidity and mortality, and suggested to predictive markers of atherosclerosis. In this study, we assessed clinical significance of CRP especially the relationship between the serum CRP level and risk factors of atherosclerosis in HD outpatients without diabetes mellitus. We measured serum CRP levels and other parameters in 233 HD patients without acute infection in June 2000. Patients were divided into two groups based on serum CRP levels (high CRP group: CRP≥0.3mg/dL, and low CRP group: CRP<0.3mg/dL). White blood cell (WBC) and numbers of drugs prescribed for angina pectoris were significantly greater in high CRP group than in the low CRP group. As risk factors for atherosclerosis, obesity (PMI≥26.4), low dose dialysis (KT/V for urea<1.0), and low protein intake (PCR<0.9g/kg/day) showed a sinificantly greater frequency in the high CRP group than in the low CRP group. In multiple regression analysis, obesity and low dose dialysis were risk factors of elevated CRP level, In conclusion, elevated CRP level may be associated with ishemic heart disease, obesity, and low dose dialysis.
