ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The chronic kidney failure is a source of dyslipidemia and accelerated atherosclerosis. No changes in the lipoprotein profile could be reversed by dialysis. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the lipid disturbances characteristics in end stage renal disease in order to assess their theorical atherogenic potential. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The patient population consisted of 36 patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Matched control subjects were recruited among apparently healthy normolipidemic Tunisians. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein B concentrations were measured. RESULTS: The triglycerides levels were significantly higher in patient group, unlike the high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI levels that were significantly reduced. We saw no increase in the levels of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. The low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ratio result wasn't helpful in the evaluation of the atherogenic risk. CONCLUSION: We confirm the quantitative lipid disorders associated with maintenance haemodialysis. The assessment of cardiovascular risk on the basis of these disorders seems difficult.