Carotid Intima Media Thickness Measurements in Nigerian Pre-dialysis CKD Patients

Background: Cardiovascular disease complications are the commonest causes of mortality in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements provide information on arterial wall thickness. This study explores CIMT in CKD patients. Methods: one hundred and seven pre-dialysis CKD patients were consecutively recruited. Eighty one healthy subjects served as control. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered and physical examination done. Fasting blood samples were collected. CIMT was measured using high resolution B mode ultrasonography at 3 sites -the distal common carotid artery, the internal carotid artery and the carotid bulb. The mean value was calculated. Results: CIMT was significantly increased in CKD patients. Mean CIMT among CKD patients was 0.120 0.015mm and 0.092 0.034mm in controls, p<0.001. CIMT correlated significantly with age, eGFR, creatinine level, triglyceride level, and history of diabetes. Serum creatinine however best predicted CIMT. There was no correlation between CIMT and total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, calcium phosphate product and blood pressure in the CKD patients. Conclusion: CIMT is increased in CKD patients suggesting that carotid atherosclerosis is more prevalent in them. It is recommended that CIMT measurements be done in our CKD patients to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular episodes for possible intervention.