Increased arterial stiffness in patients with nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) and arterial stiffness (AS) have each been linked with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, there is no data in the literature up-to-date on AS in adult patients with NS. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential associations between AS, volume and nutritional status in patients with NS in comparison to a healthy control group. Methods: 34 adult patients with newly diagnosed but untreated NS and 34 healthy controls were studied. AS was assessed by carotid-femoral PWV (cf-PWV) and body composition, nutritional status by multi-frequency bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). Results: Mean age was 44.6 +/- 18.7 years (18 - 72). Mean cf-PWV was 8.3 +/- 2.5 m/s in patients with NS and 6.7 +/- 1.1 m/s in controls (p = 0.002). In univariate analysis, cf-PWV and positively correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure, body mass index, body fat ratio, waisthip ratio, creatinine, uric acid and negatively with creatinine clearance. In linear regression analysis, only age and MAP predicted arterial stifffiess. Total body fluid, extracellular water (ECW), ECW/Height, ECW/body surface area and third space volumes were higher in patients with NS. Conclusion: Patients with NS have increased AS and are more hypervolemic compared to the healthy subjects.