Dialysis Type May Predict Carotid Intima Media Thickness and Plaque Presence in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Introduction Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques (CP) were shown to be independent predictors of mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. In this study, the authors aimed to compare the two dialysis modalities for CIMT and CP presence (CPP). Methods ESRD patients who had been on the same renal replacement therapy for at least 24 months were selected. CIMT, CPP, known risk factors, and laboratory parameters for atherosclerosis were determined for each patient. Results A total of 77 hemodialysis (HD) patients (68% male, 47.6 ± 17.0 years), 61 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients (51% male, 45.3 ± 13.9 years), and 36 age- and sex-matched controls (61% male, 43.3 ± 10.6 years) were included. The mean CIMT (m-CIMT) were 0.99 ± 0.24, 0.86 ± 0.22, and 0.60 ± 0.13 mm in the HD, CAPD, and control groups, respectively (HD vs. CAPD, P = 0.001; HD vs. control, P < 0.001; and CAPD vs. control, P < 0.001). The CPP occurred more frequently in the HD group compared to the CAPD group (64% vs. 39%, respectively, P = 0.004). The backward linear and logistic regression analysis of potential confounders revealed that both m-CIMT and CPP was independently associated with dialysis type (beta = 0.249, P = 0.008; and odds ratio [OR] = 4.11, 95% CI, 1.72 to 6.73, P = 0.015, respectively). Conclusion The authors have shown that dialysis type may be an independent predictor of m-CIMT and CPP in long-term ESRD patients.