ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The vascular calcification (VC) score on a plain X-ray is associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study examined the correlations among the VC scores for the hands and pelvis X-rays, arterial stiffness, inflammation, and nutrition in HD patients. METHODS: VC was evaluated using plain x-rays of the hands and pelvis. Patients were categorized into the VC (+) (VC score > or = 3) or VC (-) (VC score < 3) groups. We measured the pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle brachial index (ABI), and augmentation index (AI). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55.6 +/- 13.2 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was significantly higher in the VC (+) group than in the VC (-) group (87.5 vs. 34.2%, p < 0.05). The serum PTH (98.4 +/- 141.9 vs. 183.6 +/- 231.3 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and albumin (3.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.3 g/dL, p < 0.05) levels were significantly lower and PWV was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the VC (+) group. In multiple linear regression analysis, only the presence of diabetes mellitus was significantly related to the VC score. CONCLUSIONS: The VC score was associated with the serum PTH and albumin, as well as with vascular stiffness. C-reactive protein did not show any significant association with the VC score.