Cognitive Dysfunction and Vascular/Valvular Calcification in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis: A

Nazife Nur Özer Şensoy1, Mehmet Usta2, Selvi Coşar3

  • 1Department of Nephrology, University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, 16310 Bursa, Türkiye.

Insights

Vascular calcification is not an independent predictor of cognitive impairment in peritoneal dialysis patients. Age and female sex are the strongest factors associated with cognitive dysfunction in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Cognitive impairment is a significant complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
  • Determinants of cognitive dysfunction in PD patients are not fully understood.
  • Vascular calcification is a potential marker for systemic vascular pathology and cognitive dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between intracranial and valvular calcification and cognitive dysfunction in PD patients.
  • To identify predictors of cognitive impairment in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 95 PD patients.
  • Cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
  • Intracranial and valvular calcifications evaluated via imaging; logistic regression and ROC analysis performed.

Main Results:

  • Older age and female sex were associated with cognitive dysfunction in univariate and multivariable analyses.
  • Mitral valve calcification showed association in univariate analysis but not after adjustment.
  • Age (OR: 1.06) and female sex (OR: 3.4) were independent predictors; ROC analysis showed limited discriminative performance (AUC: 0.63).

Conclusions:

  • Calcification parameters were not independent predictors of cognitive dysfunction in PD patients after adjustment.
  • Age and female sex are key factors associated with cognitive impairment in PD patients.
  • Calcification burden may reflect vascular aging and comorbidity rather than being a direct predictor.

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