Association Between Vascular Calcification Scores on Plain Radiographs and Fatty Acid Contents of Erythrocyte Membrane in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective Vascular calcification (VC) scores determined by using simple plain radiographic films are known to be associated with coronary artery disease and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Omega-3 fatty acid (FA) has been shown to reduce ectopic calcifications in an animal model, and it has also been shown that erythrocyte membrane omega-3 FA content is an independent discriminator of coronary artery disease. The present study was designed to demonstrate relations between VC scores and erythrocyte membrane FA contents in patients undergoing HD. Design A cross-sectional study was carried out. Setting The study was carried out at an outpatient hemodialysis unit at Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea. Patients A total of 31 patients undergoing HD were recruited. Patients with significant malnutrition, a short duration of dialysis (