C-reactive protein is a significant predictor of vascular calcification of both aorta and hand arteries

Although evidence has accumulated indicating a close relationship between inflammation and atherosclerosis, the relationship between inflammation and vascular calcification in patients with chronic renal failure is unclear. In the present study, the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and vascular calcification in dialysis patients was examined. Vascular calcification of the aorta and hand arteries of 512 hemodialysis patients without significant infection (age 58.8 +/- 10.1 y; 305 men, 207 women) were examined by roentgenography of the lateral abdomen and hands, respectively. Patients with a mean CRP level greater than 1.0 mg/L (n = 254) were older than those with a CRP level less than or equal to 1.0 mg/L (n = 258) and had a longer duration of dialysis, lower serum albumin level, and higher phosphate level ( P < .01, P < .05, P < .001, and P < .01, respectively). Prevalence of vascular calcification of aorta and hand arteries in the former group was significantly higher than in the latter (65.0% versus 43.8% for aorta, P < .0001; and 25.0% versus 14.7% for hand arteries, P < .01). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, hemodialysis duration, sex, levels of calcium and phosphate, and presence of diabetes, CRP level was a significant predictor for the presence of aortic calcification (odds ratio for highest versus lowest quartile, 2.669; 95% confidence interval, 1.539-5.421, P = .0010) and of calcification of hand arteries (odds ratio, 2.243; 95% confidence interval, 1.039-4.841; P = .0395). In conclusion, the present study shows that increased levels of CRP are significantly associated with the presence of vascular calcification in both aorta and hand arteries (ie, with both atheromatous and medial forms of calcification), indicating evidence for a relationship between inflammation and vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.