Correlations of sialic acid with markers of inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients

Background: Serum total sialic acid (S-TSA) is associated with atherosclerotic process in general population. The aim of our study was to evaluate possible correlations of S-TSA with markers of inflammation and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: We involved 53 asymptomatic, nondiabetic HD patients and 28 healthy controls. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by carotid ultrasonography, estimating intima media wall thickness and wall to lumen ratio bilaterally. To confirm our findings, we performed a 32-month cohort study, during which cardiovascular (CV) events were analyzed in relation to S-TSA concentration. Results: HD patients had higher S-TSA compared to controls (adjusted OR: 1.04, p = 0.026). In HD patients, S-TSA independently correlated with hs-CRP (p ! 0.0001), lipoprotein(a) (p = 0.02), intima media wall thickness (p = 0.023) and wall to lumen ratio (p = 0.028). Increased S-TSA concentration was associated with more CV events (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Serum TSA seems to correlate with inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis and CV events in nondiabetic HD patients, but more studies need to confirm our findings. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.