# Vascular calcification burden of Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease: methodology of a cohort study

## TL;DR

This study investigates vascular calcification in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis to understand its prevalence and impact on cardiovascular outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on vascular calcification burden in Chinese end-stage renal disease patients, which is currently limited.

## Key findings

- The study will assess the prevalence of vascular calcification in 1520 Chinese dialysis patients.
- It will evaluate the association between vascular calcification and mortality and cardiovascular events.
- The impact of disease management on vascular calcification will be analyzed.

## Abstract

Vascular calcification is a common complication associated with chronic kidney disease and the major cause of cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal disease. The vascular calcification risk burden is still unknown in China. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vascular calcification and assess the predictive value of vascular calcification in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease on dialysis in China.

This is a national, multicenter, non-interventional, prospective cohort study planning to recruit 1520 patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for at least 6 months in 24 dialysis centers in China. All the patients provided written informed consents before participating in this study. It will include a baseline visit and 24 months follow-up period with 4 other visits at 6-month intervals. Vascular calcification images will be obtained to determine the prevalence of vascular calcification, coronary artery calcification, abdominal aortic calcification and cardiac valve calcification. Association between vascular calcification and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events will be assessed. Disease management, as assessed by serum level of calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone and its impact on vascular calcification, will also be surveyed.

The new results gained from this study will supplement limited current available data and provide better clinical decisions in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.