Elevated red blood cell count levels are associated with increased vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Introduction: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a predictor of poor survival and cardiovascular outcome in end-stage renal disease patients.We conducted this study to assess the risk factors for vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 71 cases of HD patients who underwent hemodialysis in Hunan Provincial People's hospital from January 2022 to September 2022 were enrolled. The general clinical data and Laboratory results of the patients were collected.Chest CT examination was performed,and the CAC score was calculated. Results: CAC occurred in 41 ( 57.75%) of the 71 HD patients in the study.In the logistic regression analysis, CAC in these patients was significantly predicted by an diabetes (OR [95% CI]: 6.20 [1.37–28.11], P = 0.02) and red blood cell count (OR [95% CI]: 2.29 [1.05–5.02], P = 0.04).The ROC curve was applied to analyzing the red blood cell count; the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.66 (P = 0.02) and clinical diagnostic cutoff value = 2.99 (sensitivity = 75.6% and specificity = 56.7%) . Conclusion: The incidence rate of CAC in HD patients was high.Diabetes and red blood cell count were independent risk factors for CAC in HD patients.