Effects of chronic renal failure and dialysis on serum lipid profile

ABSTRACT

Changes in serum lipids have been investigated in 159 patients with chronic renal failure and 45 apparently healthy controls. The patients were on different treatment regimes 55 on peritoneal dialysis, 58 on haemodialysis and 46 on conservative treatment. The results showed a significant rise in serum triglycerindes with a fall in serum total cholesterol, and low and high density lipoprotein cholesterols in all patient groups [P < 0.001] as compared to their controls. The ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol in these groups were significantly higher than their controls [P < 0.001]. This implies that these patients are on a high risk of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Basal serum insulin [measured in 30 specimens from each group] showed consistently high levels in the patient groups relative to their controls. Factors effecting these changes are discussed