Cross-sectional study on intima-media thickness of carotid artery and its correlation factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the correlations between intima-media thickness(IMT) of carotid artery and its major risk factors in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 75 MHD patients (MHD group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group). IMT of carotid artery was examined by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonograph in all patients. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of MHD patients were collected. According to the IMT value of carotid artery the MHD patients were divided into three sub-groups: normal IMT group, abnormal IMT group and increased IMT group. Results IMT of MHD group was significantly greater than that of control group[(1.03±0.42) vs (0.63±0.11) mm, P0.01]. The differences of age, SBP, serum albumin, pre-albumin, cholesterol and serum phosphate between increased IMT group and normal IMT group were significant (P 0.05 or P 0.01). The SBP and serum phosphate level were also higher in abnormal IMT group than those in the normal IMT group (P0.01). Significant positive correlations were found between IMT and age(r=0.247, P=0.032), SBP(r=0.758, P0.01), serum phosphate level(r=0.604,P0.01). Significant negative correlations were found between IMT and serum albumnin(r=-0.292, P=0.011) as well as pre-albumin(r=-0.681, P 0.01). The results of partial correlation test controlling for age were the same as the results of previous test. In multiple regression analysis, greater SBP(β=0.446, P0.01), lower serum pre-albumin level(β=-0.336, P0.01) and higher serum phosphate level(β=0.248, P= 0.01) were significant independent risk factors for increased IMT, independent of other confounding risk factors. Conclusions IMT of carotid artery increased in MHD patients. Greater SBP, lower serum pre-albumin level and higher serum phosphate level are the significant independent risk factors for increased carotid artery IMT which may associate with advanced arteriosclerosis in MHD patients.