Sclerostin levels predict cardiovascular mortality in long-term hemodialysis patients: A prospective observational cohort study

Physiol Res. 2019 Aug 29;68(4):547-558. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934034. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Abstract

Sclerostin is a protein which is involved in bone metabolism and probably also in vessel wall function. This prospective observational cohort study evaluated the prognostic significance of sclerostin in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In total, 106 HD patients and 25 healthy controls participated in the study. HD patients were prospectively followed up for five years. Sclerostin was measured in serum using standard ELISA kits by Biomedica. Sclerostin concentrations in serum were higher in HD patients compared to the controls (89.2±40.3 pmol/l vs. 32.8±13.0 pmol/l, p<0.001). Sclerostin levels were significant for cardiovascular mortality but not for overall mortality and mortality due to infection. A higher cardiovascular risk was connected to sclerostin concentrations above the median (>84 pmol/l), HR (95 % CI): 2.577 (1.0002-10.207), p=0.04. When sclerostin was evaluated together with residual diuresis in Kaplan-Meier analysis the worst prognosis due to cardiovascular events was observed in the group with high sclerostin and zero residual diuresis compared to all other patients (p=0.007). In summary, serum sclerostin levels in HD patients were increased when compared to healthy subjects. High sclerostin levels were demonstrated as a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. Further studies are required to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms of sclerostin action in patients with renal failure before therapeutic measures can be established.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / blood*
  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality / trends
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Renal Dialysis / mortality*
  • Renal Dialysis / trends
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / blood*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / mortality*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / therapy
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • SOST protein, human