Associations between Pulse Wave Velocity, Aortic Vascular Calcification, and Bone Mineral Density in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients and General Population

The aims of this study were to compare PWV, vascular calcification (VC), and bone mineral density (BMD) in chronic hemodialysis patients (CHP) with those of the general population patients (GPP). We evaluated 60 GPP (aged 57.5 ± 10.9) compared with 80 CHP (aged 59.3±11.8). PWV was determined from time diversity propagation of the carotid and femoral artery by Doppler ultrasound. Lateral lumbar radiography (LLR) of the abdominal aorta was used to determine the overall abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) score. BMD of the hip and the spine was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Biochemical parameters (PTH, Ca 2+ , P, albumin, CRP, etc.) were determined in all participants according to standard laboratory procedures. The mean PWV was 9.2±2.0 m/s in the GPP and 12.5±2.0 m/s in the CHP. The mean AAC score was as follows: GPP: 2.2±2.69, CHP: 7.98±5.65. The mean BMD at hip was as follow: GPP: 0.875±0.159 (g/cm 2 ), CHP: 0.729±0.147 (g/cm 2 ). In the GPP, PWV correlate with VC (P<0.001), BMD (P<0.001), albumin (P<0.001), and CRP (P=0.004). In the CHP, PWV correlates with VC (P<0.001), BMD (P<0.098), albumin (P<0.094), and CRP (P=0.004). There is a strong inverse correlation between PWV and BMD and between VC and BMD. There is a positive correlation between PWV and VC.