The TG/HDL ratio as a marker of dyslipidemia among patients on maintenance hemodialysis. A cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: Dyslipidemia is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. A high LDL is a known indicator of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but levels may be affected by malnutrition. A high TG/HDL ratio is another indicator of hard cardiovascular outcomes that should be sought carefully.

Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 111 patients on maintenance hemodialysis attending the hemodialysis unit at Basrah Nephrology and Transplantation Center at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital from September 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. A high LDL is defined as > 60 mg/dl, and a high TG/HDL ratio is defined as >2.

Results: Among 111 patients with CKD on maintenance hemodialysis, high LDL was prevalent in 59.1%, and high TG/HDL ratio in 64.5%. Their mean ages were 52.6±15.7 years, 51.4% were males, and their BMIs were 25.2±5.6. Thirty-nine patients (35.1%) were on Aspirin (ASA), 49 patients (44.1%) were on Statins, eight patients (7.2%) were on Fibrate, and 11 patients (9.9%) were on Omega-3 fatty acids. No correlations were found between serum LDL and serum TG/HDL ratio with clinical and laboratory characteristics. A non-linear correlation between serum LDL and TG/HDL ratio was reported.

Conclusions: A high TG/HDL ratio should be sought and addressed carefully among patients with CKD on maintenance hemodialysis, as low LDL may be misleading in those populations.