NT-proBNP levels in nephropathy cases with and without diabetes, echocardiographic abnormality, and hypertension

Abstract

Objective: Increased NT-proBNP level is a diagnostic sign for heart failure and is associated with cardiovascular mortality. It is related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in also cases without heart failure. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate NT-proBNP levels in CKD cases with and without diabetes, echocardiographic abnormality, and hypertension. Methods: Sixty-four cases (26 diabetic and 38 non-diabetic) with stage 3-4 CKD were investigated in the study. Blood pressure values were measured on the right arm after resting for at least 5 minutes. M-mode two-dimensional echocardiography device and ultrasonography were used to evaluate cardiac and renal findings. Blood samples were taken for biochemical, hematological, hormonal and serological parameters of the patients after 12 hours of fasting. Nt-proBNP levels were measured by Elecys ProBNP sandwich immunoassay method in the Biochemistry laboratory. Results: NT-proBNP levels were not statistically different according to the presence and absence of diabetes (p=0.821) in CKD cases. However, stage-4 CKD had significantly higher NT-proBNP level than stage-3 CKD in both diabetic (p<0.001) and non-diabetic cases (p<0.001). NT-proBNP levels showed similarity in cases with and without echocardiographic abnormality in both diabetics (p=0.135) and non-diabetics (p=0.531). Similarly, CKD cases with and without hypertension were not different in NT-proBNP levels in both diabetics (p=0.412) and non-diabetics (p=0.432). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that NT-proBNP level is related to the severity of CKD rather than the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

Keywords

• NT-proBNP
• kidney disease
• diabetes mellitus
• echocardiography

References

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