Longer Telomeres Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk in Dialysis Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Vedran Premužić, Simon Toupance, Allyson Hollander, Želimir Stipančić, Nikolina Bukal, Ana Jelaković, Ivan Brzić, Borna Čulig, Neda Slade, Athanase Benetos, Bojan Jelaković
Primary Institution: University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia
Hypothesis
Telomere length (TL) could be longer in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy compared with other patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Conclusion
Longer telomeres are associated with less cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.
Supporting Evidence
- Longer telomeres are associated with better cardiovascular prognosis.
- Patients with BEN had significantly lower cardiovascular mortality than patients with non-BEN ESKD.
- Shorter telomeres were the only determinant of shorter survival in the BEN group.
Takeaway
Patients with a specific kidney disease called Balkan endemic nephropathy have longer telomeres, which helps them live longer and have fewer heart problems.
Methodology
A total of 124 patients undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled and followed-up for 72 months, with telomere length measured in leukocytes by Southern blot.
Limitations
Telomere length was not measured at the start of dialysis, and the sample size was relatively small.
Participant Demographics
68 patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) and 56 patients with other causes of ESKD, with a mix of men and women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 59.0 to 67.5
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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