Analysis of factors influencing vascular calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients and their impact on long-term prognosis

Abstract

Background This study aims to investigate the influencing factors of vascular calcification in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and its relationship with long-term prognosis. Methods This retrospective cohort study included chronic kidney disease patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis at the Peritoneal Dialysis Center of Beijing Luhu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2019 to March 2019. Demographic and clinical laboratory data, including serum sclerostin (SOST), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), serum albumin (ALB), and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, were collected. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was assessed using abdominal lateral X-ray examination to determine the occurrence of vascular calcification, and patients were divided into the AAC group and Non-AAC group based on the results. Results A total of 91 patients were included in the study. The AAC group consisted of 46 patients, while the Non-AAC group consisted of 45 patients. The AAC group had significantly older patients compared to the non-AAC group (P < 0.001) and longer dialysis time (P = 0.004). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that risk factors for vascular calcification in PD patients included dialysis time, diabetes, hypertension, and SOST. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the AAC group had a significantly higher mortality rate than the non-AAC group (χ2 = 35.993, P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that dialysis time, diabetes and AAC were risk factors for all-cause mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. Conclusion Longer dialysis time, comorbid diabetes, comorbid hypertension, and SOST are risk factors for vascular calcification in PD patients. Additionally, AAC, longer dialysis time, and comorbid diabetes are associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.