The Relationship Between Obesity and Calciphylaxis: A Review of the Literature

Calciphylaxis is characterized by calcification in the medium and small vessel arterioles and can be a life-threatening complication often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A review of the literature was conducted to explore existing evidence about the relationship between obesity and calciphylaxis. A total of 54 publications (published between 1962 and 2015) were identified. Most studies noted a variety of risk factors for calciphylaxis, including CKD, female gender, Caucasian race, liver disease, and lower serum albumin. Obesity was identified as a risk factor in 6 of the 8 studies reviewed. In one study, obesity was found to increase the risk of calciphylaxis 4-fold. The majority of calciphylaxis lesions in obese persons were proximal in distribution; all studies report proximal lesions are associated with a higher mortality rate than distal lesions. The mortality rate of persons with CKD and calciphylaxis is 8 times higher than that of persons with CKD without calciphylaxis. There is no definitive evidence to support the belief current epidemic rates of obesity, diabetes, (diabesity), and chronic renal disease will predispose more patients to the development of calciphylaxis. However, until more information from the calciphylaxis registries and other studies is available, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when a patient presents with indurated, painful nodules or necrotic ulcers, especially if the patient also has CKD.