Carotid Intima-media Thickness is a Sequel of Elevated FGF-23 Levels in CKD!

Background: FGF-23 regulates phosphate homeostasis and has a correlation with morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular episodes and chronic renal conditions. The risk of subclinical atherosclerosis can be predicted by measurements of the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery. The objective of this studyisto study therelation between serum FGF-23 levels and Carotid intima-media thickness in the early stages of CKD. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at MLN Medical College, SRN Hospital, Prayagraj and Tejas Microdiagnostics. The study design adopted was prospective and observational. A total of 270 newly diagnosed CKD patients were enrolled as cases while 90 patients without CKD were taken as control. High-resolution ultrasonography was utilised to measure Carotid artery intima-media thickening. Serum FGF-23 levels were performed at the beginning of study, along with other baseline investigations and were repeated on 6th and 9th months respectively. Results: Among the case group of CKD, the mean age was 54.8 + 2.1 years with male to female proportions representing 62% and 38%, respectively of the control group consisted mean age distribution of 51.0 + 2.1 years a and male-female proportion of 58% and 42%, respectively. It was observed that FGF-23 levels and Carotid intima-media thickness measurements were high in patients than in controls. A statistically significant correlation at 0.01 levels was observed between FGF-23 and the Carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusion: Our study clearly establishes a strong correlation between FGF-23 and CIMT indicating that FGF-23 plays an important role in the development of vascular calcifications in early stages of CKD. Subclinical atherosclerosis in CKD patients can be predicted by monitoring of their FGF-23 and CIMT level.