International Journal of Medical Sciences

6 January 2009
Tuesday

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ISSN 1449-1907

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International Journal of Biological Sciences

Int J Med Sci 2008; 5:366-370 ©Ivyspring International Publisher

Research Paper

Hypoalbuminaemia – A Marker of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages II - IV

Nehal Rachit Shah1 ✉, Francis Dumler2

1. Division of Internal Medicine, St Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, MI, USA
2. Division of Nephrology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Serum albumin, a negative acute-phase reactant and marker for underlying inflammation and/or malnutrition, is an independent predictor of CVD and mortality in CKD VI patients. Such an association in patients with less severe CKD is not well established.

We conducted a cross sectional study of all CKD II - IV patients attending the nephrology clinic (N=376; mean age: 57±17 years; GFR: 47±20 mL/min/1.73m2; females 48%; blacks 15%; diabetics 27%; hypertensive 79%). Laboratory and clinical data including risk factors and evidence of CVD were obtained at the point of the most recent visit. The association between risk factors and CVD was evaluated by logistic regression. In the simple logistic regression model, age (p<0.0001), sex (P= 0.02), hypertension (P<0.0001), diabetes (P<.0001), dyslipidemia (p=.01), and serum albumin (p<.0001) were found to be statistically significant. Serum albumin was found to be an independent predictor (p=0.04) of CVD by multiple logistic regression analysis using the above risk factor variables.

In conclusion: a) hypoalbuminaemia is an independent predictor of CVD in early CKD stages; b) hypoalbuminaemia may be used to identify the population at higher risk for CVD.

Keywords: Hypoalbuminaemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease patients, cross sectional study

How to cite this article:
Shah NR, Dumler F. Hypoalbuminaemia – A Marker of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages II - IV. Int J Med Sci 2008; 5:366-370. Available from http://www.medsci.org/v05p0366.htm