Progression of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients: Effect of adiponectin on carotid intima media thickness

Abstract

Aim: We investigated the parameters related to the progression of common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: IMT was examined in 85 patients by ultrasonography at baseline and after 12 months. The difference in IMT between these two time points was calculated (ΔIMT). We defined ΔIMT >0.00 as 'progressiod, and ΔIMT≤0.00 as 'stable'. Body fat distribution was calculated on computed tomography. Total adiponectin (T-Ad) and high molecular weight adiponectin (H-Ad) were measured by ELISA. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in all profiles except for the ratio of H-Ad to T-Ad (HMWR) at baselirre. In the 'progression' group, IMT increased from 1.56 ± 0.89 to 1.77 ± 0.94 mm (p<0.001) and visceral fat area (60.3 ± 30.7 to 69.2 ± 37.5, cm2; p< 0.01) increased. In the 'stable' group, HMWR increased from 31.3 ± 5.4 to 37.6 ± 7.3% (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis selected ΔHMVT (p=0.031, odds ratio=0.928) independently of IMT progression. The correlation coefficient was -0.254 (p=0.019) between ΔIMT and ΔHMWR. Conclusions: We found that an increase in HMWR was related to the stable state of IMT in HD patients.