FGF-23 levels are associated with vascular calcification, but not with atherosclerosis, in hemodialysis patients

Purpose High fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between plasma FGF-23 levels and coronary artery calcification and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, plasma intact FGF-23 levels were measured in 229 patients who underwent coronary artery calcification scores (CACs) determined by multi-slice computerized tomography and CA-IMT assessed by using high-resolution color Doppler ultrasonography. Results Median FGF-23 was 53.5 pg/ml (IQR 30.8–249.5). Median CACs was 98 (IQR 0–531), and the frequency of patients with severe calcification (CACs > 400) was 28.8 %; 27.5 % of cases had no calcification. Mean CA-IMT was 0.78 ± 0.20 mm, and the presence of carotid plaques was 51 % with a mean length 2.1 mm. FGF-23 level was positively correlated with serum calcium ( r = 0.337, p