Haptoglobin phenotypes, which one is better and when?

Haptoglobin (Hp) phenotype 2-2 presents characteristics of being an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and more significant in diabetic CVD. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), due to various processes that take place simultaneously, the combined effect is different in the elderly and the young. In older patients (> 60 years), Hp 2-2 is associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular and renal morbidity and mortality. In younger (< 60 years) hemodialysis patients, infections and high hemoglobin turnover are predominant, and patients with Hp 2-2 have a longer survivorship than those with Hp 1-1. The functional differences between the Hp phenotypes are most probably due to their antioxidative property and to macrophage activation with differential release of cytokines.