Risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To identify the risk factors associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods We analyzed all of the patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in the dialysis center of the 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University for at least 3 months from Jan 1st, 2009 to Dec 31st, 2014. Baseline and yearly interval clinical data were recorded and patients were followed up until morbidity or death of CCVD. Cox proportional hazard regression and time-dependent Cox regression were used to estimate the relative risk of outcomes associated with clinical measurements. Results There were 243 patients enrolled in the study, with a mean age of (53.2±16.4) years old, and 138 of them were male (56.8%). The multivariate Cox proportional model revealed that age (HR=1.040, 95%CI: 1.015-1.065, P=0.002), Erythropoietin (EPO) dose (HR=0.914, 95%CI: 0.846-0.987, P=0.022) and history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (HR=4.045, 95%CI: 2.074-7.890, P＜0.001) were independent predictors of CCVD in MHD patients. After adjusting for baseline predictors, time-dependent serum phosphorus level (HR=1.722, 95%CI: 1.034-2.866, P=0.037) was significantly associated with CCVD. Conclusion Older age, decreases in EPO dose and history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease were associated with increased risks of CCVD in MHD patients. Increase in serum phosphorus level was associated with increased risks of CCVD in a time-dependent manner.