Transthyretin Predicts Cardiovascular Outcome In Hemodialysis Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Abstract

BMI and albumin are commonly accepted parameters to recognize wasting in dialysis patients and are powerful predictors of morbidity and mortality. However, both parameters reveal limitations and may not cover the entire range of patients with wasting. The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) may be helpful in overcoming the diagnostic and prognostic gap. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association of TTR with morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The TTR concentration was determined in baseline plasma samples of 1177 hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Cox regression analyses were used to determine hazard ratios for the risk of cardiovascular events (CVE) and mortality according to quartiles of TTR plasma concentration for the total study cohort and the subgroups BMI ≥23kg/m², albumin concentration ≥3.8g/dL and a combination of both. A low TTR concentration was associated with an increased risk for CVE for the total study cohort (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.27-2.14), patients with BMI ≥23kg/m² (HR 1.70; 95% CI 1.22–2.37), albumin ≥3.8g/dL (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.17–2.42) and the combination of both (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.13-2.53). Additionally, a low TTR concentration predicted all-cause mortality for the total study cohort (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.43–2.24) and patients with BMI ≥23kg/m² (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.09–1.95). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that TTR is a useful predictor for cardiovascular outcome and mortality in hemodialysis patients. TTR was particularly useful in patients who were not identified to be at risk by BMI or albumin status.