Correlation of Plasma Klotho Levels and Carotid Intima- Media Thickness in CKD Patients on Regular Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: The incidence of heart death is 5-10 times more in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with regular hemodialysis compared to the general population. Vascular calcification is a risk factor. In CKD patients there is a decrease in the distal renal cell cells which are the main producer of Klotho in the body. The functions of Klotho are maintaining integrity, endothelial permeability and endogenous inhibitors of vascular calcification. Previous studies reported an association between vascular calcification and Klotho plasma levels. Vascular calcification for heart disease can be determined by the thickness Intima Media (TIM) Carotid Artery. Objective: To determine the correlation of plasma Klotho levels with the Intima Media thickness of the Carotid Artery in CKD patients with regular hemodialysis. Methode: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rasyida Kidney General Hospital in Medan from April to July 2018. Patients with CKD who have undergone routine hemodialysis are examined for plasma levels of Klotho and real time ultrasound examinations to determine the thickness of arterial intima media carotid. Data are analyzed with Mann Whitney test, binominal logistic regression and Pearson correlation. Results: Seventy patients with CKD showed an average plasma Klotho level of 281.43 + 298.63 pg / ml with an average TIM of the carotid artery of 0.22 + 0.09 cm. Patients were divided into 2 groups, namely the calcification group (n = 39) and the noncalcified group (n = 31). Mann-Whitney test was performed with the results that there were differences in plasma Klotho levels between the calcification group and the noncalcified carotid artery group which were statistically significant (p = 0.001). The binominal logistic regression analysis test was performed on risk factors associated with the incidence of vascular calcification and the results of Klotho serum levels, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension were found to be significant risk factors for calcification (p <0.05). With the Pearson correlation test, the negative correlation of plasma Klotho levels with the thickening of Intima Carotid Arterial Media was statistically significant with moderate correlation strength (p = 0.002; r = -0.368). Conclusion: Patients with chronic kidney disease with low plasma Klotho levels have thickening of the intima media of carotid artery.