Association of Circulating Levels of ADMA with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with CKD: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly higher than that in the general population. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered to be an important predictor of atherosclerosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) acted as an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, which was elevated in patients with CKD, but whether plasma ADMA correlate with the CIMT in CKD patients is still not elucidated. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase electronic database. A total of 334 related articles were retrieved, after screened by the inclusion and exclusion criterions, 6 articles were selected. RESULTS: After an overall pooled estimate of correlation coefficient (R) within the 6 articles, we found that levels of circulating ADMA were positively related to CIMT in the patients with CKD. Furthermore, the partial correlation coefficient (PR) was used to reduce the interference caused by the hybrid factors. After correction of other risk factors, it also turned out that levels of circulating ADMA were positively related to CIMT. CONCLUSION: Circulating levels of ADMA in CKD patients were positively related to CIMT, which could be a predictor of early-onset atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic disease in patients with CKD.