C-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

C-reactive protein is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but the association of CRP with the early phase of atherosclerosis has been insufficiently investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CRP and indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. Intima-media thickness, lumen-diameter and cross-sectional intima-media area (CSIM area) of the common carotid artery were established using B-mode ultrasound imaging in 43 HD patients and 21 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. CSIM area and LD were significantly higher in HD patients compared with control subjects. Inflammation (CRP> 10 mg/l) was present in 58.1% of HD patients and was associated with higher values of all ultrasonographic markers of atherosclerosis, as well as higher prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Higher CSIM area was associated with elevated CRP level (r=0.619, p=0.000), advanced age (R=0.704, p=0.005) and smoking habits (R=0.742, p=0.039). Results of our investigation support the concept on key role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis in HD patients.