Background: Vascular calcifications (VC) are important predictors of cardiovascular mortality in end- stage renal disease patients (ESRD). Fetuin-A is a negative acute phase glycoprotein that plays a pivotal role in the (CalciumXPhosphorus) precipitation along with its multifunctional effects on vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Objectives: Study the association of serum Fetuin-A with vascular and valvular calcifications in dialysis patients. Patients and methods: Study was conducted on 119 patients [75 males (63%) and 44 females (37%)] with ESRD on dialysis [91 patients on hemodialysis (HD) and 28 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) with matching controls. All participants were evaluated by (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, serum calcium, phosphorus and calculated [CaXP]), Serum Parathyroid hormone and serum Fetuin-A, as well as Echocardiography, lateral view lumbar spine plain x-ray lateral view in standing position. Results: Valvular calcification was present in 52 patients (43.7%) and was prevalent more among HD patients {n=40(44%)} than among (PD) patients {n=12(42.9%)}. VC was prevalent in 99 patients (83.2%) and it was found to be more among HD patients (n=76)(83.5%) than among PD patients(n=23)(82.1%).Calcium X Phosphorus by product was significantly higher among patients with valvular calcification than those without(Pv < 0.05).Serum Fetuin A levels were lower in patients with valvular calcification (16.2 ± 6.8) than those without (20.3±7.1) which was statistically highly significant (Pv < 0.01).The same goes towards Fetuin-A levels in participants with vascular calcification, as Fetuin-A levels were lower in a highly significant manner (Pv < 0.01). Conclusion: The role of Fetuin-A is probably not only linked to active prevention of calcium phosphate precipitation but also reflects the severity of inflammation.
