Does coronary artery calcification in patients with diabetic nephropathy depend on the advancement of renal failure?

Calcium-phosphate disorders and vascular calcification are highly prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus and nephropathy. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence and advancement of vascular calcification in patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy on peritoneal dialysis and diabetic patients with chronic renal disease stages 2-4. The study group included 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy divided into 2 groups: 12 patients (aged 50-74 years: mean 58.6+/-8.8) undergoing peritoneal dialysis and 19 patients (aged 46-82 years; mean 65.8+/-9.7) with chronic kidney disease stages 2-4 (GFR range 24-78 ml/min/1.73 m2). Coronary artery calcification score, was assessed using multi-slice computed tomography. Coronary artery calcification score did not differ significantly between groups (CaSc values 1085.2 vs 452.4 AgU; NS). The patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis showed significantly higher levels of parathyroid hormone (658.2 vs. 74.3 pg/ml; p=0.001), fibrinogen (5.82 vs. 3.89 g/l; p<0.0001) and alkaline phosphatase (330.9 vs. 168.0 U/l; p=0.001). Despite more advanced abnormalities in calcium-phosphate balance parameters and more active inflammation in peritoneal dialysis subjects we failed to demonstrate any statistically significant difference in coronary artery calcification score between patients with diabetic nephropathy on peritoneal dialysis and those with chronic kidney disease stages 2-4.