The Association between Serum Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Levels and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to assess whether serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is associated with a risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.MethodsOne hundred sixty-nine patients with CKD were followed for a mean of 36 months (range, 5–39 months). Serum RBP4 and other laboratory indicators were measured at baseline. The relationship between RBP4 and the risk of CV events was evaluated by using Cox regression analysis.ResultsPatients with higher serum RBP4 levels had a higher rate of CV events and a higher mortality in a univariate analysis (P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that RBP4 (hazard ratio, 2.259; 95% confidence interval, 2.067–5.489; P = 0.002) is an independent prognostic factor for CV events in patients with CKD. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with RBP4 above the median value (>33.86 mg/L) had a higher rate of CV events than did patients with RBP4 at or below the median value (≤33.86 mg/L; P < 0.001).ConclusionRBP4 levels are associated with CV events in patients with CKD. Elevated serum RBP4 levels may indicate an increased risk of CV complications in CKD patients.