The Far Negative Intercept of the Regression Formula Obtained from Repeated Measurements of BChE and Albumin Levels is Useful for Detecting Hereditary Heterozygous Butyrylcholinesterase Deficiency in Patients on Dialysis

Abstract

Serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) levels are positively correlated with serum albumin levels and are influenced by inflammation. Heterozygous BChE deficiency in patients on dialysis may be overlooked as malnutrition owing to dialysis-associated low BChE and albumin levels. In this study, we aimed to clarify a method for identifying low BChE levels due to hereditary causes. This single-center, retrospective, observational study included 1,104 patients undergoing dialysis and 1,716 patients not undergoing dialysis. Patients on dialysis with available data of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were divided into three groups according to the hsCRP level: low (< 1 mg/L), average (1-3 mg/L), and high (> 3 mg/L), and the association of serum hsCRP level with BChE and albumin levels was investigated. We compared intercept values (y value at x = 0) of the regression formula obtained from repeated measurements between patients on dialysis and those with a known hereditary heterozygous BChE deficiency. Serum BChE and albumin levels in patients on dialysis were significantly lower, and a positive correlation was observed. The hsCRP level and the BChE and albumin levels were negatively correlated. BChE and albumin levels were highest in the low hsCRP group and lowest in the high hsCRP group, and a significant positive correlation was observed in all groups. The intercept values of the regression formula obtained from repeated measurements of BChE and albumin levels in patients on dialysis and a patient with hereditary heterozygous BChE deficiency were 0.383 and ­­–102.730, respectively, which may be useful in distinguishing hereditary causes.