Coronary artery calcification score and common iliac artery calcification score in non‐dialysis CKD patients

AIM: Many studies have validated Agatston’s coronary artery calcification score (CACS) for assessing vascular calcification (VC) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the CACS and common iliac artery calcification score (IACS) and to examine the variables related to each score. METHODS: The subjects were 145 non‐dialysis CKD patients. The CACS and IACS were determined using the same thoracicoabdominal multi‐detector computed tomography. Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the CACS or IACS. The associations between progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) and the CACS or IACS were studied using Cox hazards models. RESULTS: The subjects’ median age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and follow‐up period were 72 (62–78) years, 32 (18–50) mL/min/1.73m(2), and 864 (550–1425) days, respectively. Age, diabetes, the serum phosphate level, and the eGFR were found to be significant factors of the CACS [β (95% CI): 0.38 (0.02–0.04), P < 0.0001, 0.28 (0.19–0.50), P < 0.0001, 0.16 (0.03–0.45), P < 0.05 and −0.15 (−0.02–0.00), P < 0.05, respectively]. Age and diabetes were shown to be significant factors of the IACS [β (95% CI): 0.53 (0.04–0.06), P < 0.0001, and 0.18 (0.07–0.40), P < 0.01, respectively]. Progression to RRT occurred in 31 patients and was significantly associated with the CACS (hazard ratio: 1.01, P < 0.01), urinary protein level and eGFR, but not the IACS. CONCLUSION: Chronic kidney disease related risk factors for VC, such as the eGFR and hyperphosphataemia, are significantly associated with a high CACS, but not a high IACS, and the CACS is a significant predictor of progression to RRT.