Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Inflammation and cardiovascular events in individuals with and without chronic kidney disease

D E Weiner1, H Tighiouart, E F Elsayed

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. dweiner@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Kidney International
|April 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Inflammation and chronic kidney disease independently predict cardiovascular events. These inflammatory markers showed similar prognostic ability to C-reactive protein for adverse outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Nephrology
  • Clinical immunology

Background:

  • Inflammation and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are known risk factors for cardiovascular events.
  • Assessing inflammatory markers in CKD patients is crucial for risk stratification.
  • Understanding the interplay between inflammation and CKD in predicting cardiovascular outcomes is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate inflammation markers (fibrinogen, albumin, white blood cell count) as risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events in individuals with and without stages 3-4 CKD.
  • To assess the synergy between inflammation and CKD.
  • To compare the prognostic ability of these inflammatory markers with C-reactive protein.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities and Cardiovascular Health Study.
  • Defined inflammation based on the worst quartile of at least two of three markers: fibrinogen, albumin, and white blood cell count.
  • Employed Cox regression models to analyze the association with a composite of cardiac events, stroke, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Among 20,413 participants, inflammation was identified in 3,594 and CKD in 1,649.
  • Both inflammation and CKD independently predicted all studied outcomes in multivariable analyses.
  • The interaction between inflammation and CKD was not significant.
  • Inflammation and elevated C-reactive protein demonstrated similar hazard ratios for adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation, assessed by fibrinogen, albumin, and white blood cell count, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, stroke, and mortality.
  • Chronic kidney disease also independently predicts these adverse outcomes.
  • The prognostic value of these inflammatory markers is comparable to C-reactive protein.

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:28

Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management01:18

Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care​.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of fluid...