Truncal Adiposity Influences High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Adiposity influences lipid metabolism and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between fat mass (FM) and lipid metabolism and CVD events among patients on hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: This prospective observational study examined 240 patients on prevalent HD. Blood samples were obtained before dialysis at baseline to measure lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, and adiponectin. Lipids and hs-CRP were measured every 3 months for 12 months. FM was estimated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometric scan at baseline and 12 months later. Patients were then prospectively followed up for 36 months after the 1-year measurement period, and composite CVD events were estimated. RESULTS: Truncal FM was positively correlated with body mass index, hs-CRP, interleukin-6, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-C, triglyceride, and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C and adiponectin at baseline. HDL-C levels were repeatedly decreased, and triglyceride and non-HDL-C were serially increased in the patient group with truncal FM > 7,000 g at both baseline and 12 months (large truncal FM group) compared with the other groups. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for confounders showed composite CVD events occurred significantly in patients with large truncal FM and continuous low HDL-C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Truncal adiposity influences lipid metabolism in patients on HD, and the prevalence of CVD events may be increased in those patients with high fat and lipid abnormalities, especially continuously low HDL-C levels.