Lipid Parameters Including Lipoprotein (A) in Patients Undergoing CAPD and Hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective Oyslipidemia possibly contributes to the vascular complications commonly afflicting uremic patients. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular dis ease. The aim of our study was to compare lipidparameters, including Lp(a), between hemodialysis (HO) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPO) patients. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting University Medical Center. Participants Forty CAPO and 40 HO patients carefully matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and duration of dialysis were studied. A group of 40 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, BMI, and smoking habits was used as control. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Serum lipid parameters and atherogenic risk ratios were the main outcome measures. Results Both groups of dialysis patients had increased serum triglycerides and decreased levels of Apo AI and HOL cholesterol compared to controls. Moreover, the risk ratios total cholesterol/HOL cholesterol and LOL cholesterol/HOL cholesterol were significantly higher, and the ratio ApoA1/ApoB was significantly lower in both groups of patients in comparison to the normal subjects. Both groups of dialysis patients exhibited decreased ratios of LOL cholesterol/ApoB and HOL cholesterol/ApoAI, suggesting the presence of compositional lipoprotein changes. CAPO patients had a more atherogenic lipid profile compared to HO patients, since they exhibited higher levels of total and LOL cholesterol, of ApoB as well as of the ratios total cholesterol/HOL cholesterol and LOL cholesterol/ HOL cholesterol, and lower levels of the ratio ApoA1/ApoB compared to HO patients. Both groups of dialysis patients had increased serum Lp(a) levels. Even though CAPO patients had higher serum Lp(a) levels than HO patients, the differences between these two groups were only marginally statistically significant (p = 0.056 by Mann-Whitney U-test). Uremic dyslipidemia was positively correlated with serum albumin levels in both groups of patients. Conclusion CAPO patients exhibit a more atherogenic lipid profile than that of HO patients. The marked disturbances in Lp(a) levels may further increase the vascular risk in both groups of patients.