Intima-Media Thickness Is Associated with Inflammation and Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: Mortality due to cardiovascular causes is high in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and inflammation are early atherosclerosis markers, although data are lacking about their association in the CKD non-dialysis-dependent (CKD-NDD) population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between IMT, inflammation and other cardiovascular risk factors in such patients. Methods: CKD-NDD patients (n = 122) were subjected to measurements of carotid IMT and inflammatory marker levels in a cross-sectional study. Results: Mean patient age was 55.2 ± 11.3 years (61.5% males). Median C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.28 mg/dl (0.03–14.2). The median interleukin (IL)-6 count was 4.75 pg/ml (0.7–243), the mean adiponectin was 27.8 ± 7.3 ng/ml and the mean IMT was 0.61 ± 0.19 mm. Four (3.3%) patients had IMT above the normal range. IMT was higher in males (p < 0.001), patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min (p = 0.030), inflammation (p = 0.005) and higher IL-6 levels (p = 0.023). IMT was correlated with age (R = 0.538; p < 0.001), waist circumference (R = 0.235; p = 0.016), CRP (R = 0.191; p = 0.035) and systolic blood pressure (R = 0.181; p = 0.048). In a multiple regression analysis, the independent determinants of IMT were age (β = 0.512; p < 0.001) and CRP levels (β = 0.159; p = 0.041). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that although the IMT values were within the normal range, there was a clear association of IMT with age, as well as with inflammation in an asymptomatic CKD-NDD population.