Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Endocan as a Potential Marker for Predicting All-Cause Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients
Jia-Hong Lin1, Bang-Gee Hsu2,3, Chih-Hsien Wang2,3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan.
Insights
Higher serum endocan levels correlate with increased mortality risk in hemodialysis patients. This finding suggests serum endocan may serve as a vital biomarker for predicting mortality in this population.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Endocan, a pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factor, indicates endothelial dysfunction and is linked to cardiovascular disease.
- Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum endocan levels and all-cause mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
- To identify potential biomarkers for predicting mortality risk in the HD population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study included 103 hemodialysis patients followed for 36 months.
- Serum endocan, creatinine, albumin, and other clinical data were collected at baseline.
- Mortality events were recorded and analyzed in relation to baseline characteristics and biomarkers.
Main Results:
- A total of 26 deaths (25.2%) occurred during the follow-up period.
- Higher serum endocan levels and lower serum creatinine levels were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality after adjusting for prognostic variables.
- Factors such as diabetes mellitus and older age also correlated with higher mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum endocan levels and decreased serum creatinine are independently associated with all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients.
- Serum endocan shows potential as a predictive biomarker for mortality risk in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Abstract:
Endocan, a pro-inflammatory cytokine and pro-angiogenic factor, is a marker of endothelial dysfunction and has been proven to correlate with cardiovascular disease. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum endocan and all causes of mortality in HD patients. A total of 103 patients, aged over 20 years old and undergoing HD for more than 3 months, were included and followed for 36 months. Mortality events, serum endocan, biochemical data, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, baseline characteristics, and the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs were recorded. In our study, a total of 26 deaths (25.2%) occurred. Hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus, older age, higher serum endocan, and lower creatinine and albumin levels had a higher risk of mortality. Adjusting for prognostic variables, HD patients with higher serum endocan (p = 0.010) and lower serum creatinine (p = 0.034) demonstrated significantly higher all-cause mortality. In our study, increased endocan and lower creatinine are associated with all-cause mortality in HD patients. Serum endocan levels could serve as a biomarker for a high mortality risk in HD patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...