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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Assessment of lipid dysfunction in patients on maintenance haemodialysis

Ashfaq Altaf1, Abdul Halim, Dilshad Ahmad Khan

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. drashfaqamc@yahoo.com

Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC
|August 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Patients on maintenance haemodialysis exhibit lower BMI and lipid levels, including total cholesterol and LDL-C, indicating malnutrition and increased cardiovascular risk. These findings highlight the need for nutritional and cardiovascular support in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

  • Dyslipidemia is a significant cardiovascular disease risk factor in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.
  • Both high and low cholesterol levels are linked to increased cardiovascular mortality in haemodialysis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare lipid profiles and body mass index (BMI) in maintenance haemodialysis patients versus healthy individuals.
  • To identify lipid dysfunction prevalence in a Pakistani nephrology unit.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive comparative study included 70 maintenance haemodialysis patients and 70 healthy controls.
  • Body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured.
  • Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using the Friedwald equation.

Main Results:

  • Maintenance haemodialysis patients had significantly lower BMI (20.07 vs 22.88 kg/m2) and lower TC (3.84 vs 4.65 mmol/L) and LDL-C (2.21 vs 2.93 mmol/L) compared to controls.
  • No significant difference was observed in HDL-C or triglycerides between the groups.
  • The most common lipid abnormality in haemodialysis patients was low HDL-C (81%), followed by increased Non-HDL-C (23%).

Conclusions:

  • Maintenance haemodialysis patients present with significantly low BMI, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and Non-HDL-C.
  • These lipid abnormalities suggest malnutrition, inflammation, and accelerated atherosclerosis, contributing to cardiovascular complications.
  • The study underscores the complex relationship between lipid profiles and cardiovascular health in haemodialysis patients.
Abstract

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