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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Systemic Inflammation and Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Kidney
Alexander T Sandhu1, Adam Furst2, Fatima Rodriguez3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Insights
Systemic inflammation (SI) in Veterans with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease significantly increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nephrology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Systemic inflammation (SI), indicated by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), is prevalent in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Understanding the impact of SI on cardiovascular and economic outcomes in this dual-diagnosis population is crucial for clinical management and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between systemic inflammation (SI) and cardiovascular events, acute care utilization, and healthcare costs among Veterans diagnosed with both ASCVD and CKD.
- To quantify the increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and economic burden attributable to SI in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Veterans with ASCVD and CKD undergoing hsCRP testing between 2008 and 2022.
- Classification of patients into SI (hsCRP 2-10 mg/L) and non-SI (hsCRP <2 mg/L) groups.
- Utilized Cox regression, negative binomial regression, and gamma regression to assess associations with MACE, hospitalizations, and costs, respectively.
Main Results:
- Veterans with SI were younger and had a higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease.
- A significantly higher rate of MACE (11.64 vs 8.66 per 100 patient-years) was observed in the SI group.
- SI was independently associated with a 40% increased risk of MACE (HR: 1.40), increased hospitalizations (IRR: 1.24), and an additional $4,115 in annual healthcare costs.
Conclusions:
- Systemic inflammation is a significant independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in Veterans with ASCVD and CKD.
- SI contributes to increased healthcare utilization and substantial economic costs in this patient population.
- Targeting systemic inflammation may be a key strategy to improve outcomes and reduce costs for Veterans with comorbid ASCVD and CKD.
Background:
Systemic inflammation (SI), measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), is common in both atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Objectives:
The objectives of the study was to evaluate the association between SI and cardiovascular and economic outcomes among Veterans with ASCVD and CKD.
Methods:
We conducted an analysis of Veterans with ASCVD and CKD with hsCRP testing between 2008 and 2022. We classified Veterans as with SI (hsCRP 2-10 mg/L) and without SI (hsCRP <2 mg/L). The primary outcome was the 3-point major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) composite: death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Additional outcomes included acute care utilization and health care costs. We evaluated the adjusted association between SI and clinical outcomes, acute care utilization, and costs via Cox regression, negative binomial regression, and gamma regression, respectively.
Results:
Veterans with SI (n = 39,006) were younger (72.5 [SD: 9.1] vs 73.6 [SD: 9.1] years; P < 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (48.4% [18,860/39,006] vs 43.8% [10,152/23,176]; P < 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years (IQR: 2.1-7.0; total of 307,074 person-years), the MACE rate was 11.64 (95% CI: 11.48-11.79) compared with 8.66 (95%CI: 8.49-8.83) per 100 patient-years in the group with vs without SI (P < 0.001). After adjustment, the HR for SI was 1.40 (95% CI: 1.36-1.43) for MACE. SI was significantly associated with increased hospitalizations (IRR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.20-1.29) and $4,115 (95% CI: $1,878-$6,353) in additional costs over 1 year.
Conclusions:
Among Veterans with ASCVD and CKD, SI was associated with an increased risk of MACE and higher health care utilization and costs.
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Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Inflammation II: Local and Systemic Effects
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

