Serum sclerostin in vascular calcification in CKD: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Vascular calcification (VC) is recognized as a predictor of all-cause and CVD mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). VC in CKD is possibly associated with serum sclerostin. The study systematically investigated the role of serum sclerostin in VC in CKD. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, a systematic search was performed of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases from inception to 11 November 2022, to identify relevant eligible studies. The data were retrieved, analyzed, and summarized. The hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were derived and pooled. Thirteen reports (3125 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included. Sclerostin was associated with the presence of VC (pooled OR = 2.75, 95%CI = 1.81–4.19, p < 0.01) and all-cause mortality (pooled HR = 1.22, 95%CI = 1.19–1.25, p < 0.01) among patients with CKD, but with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (HR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.97–1.00, p = 0.02). This meta-analysis suggests that serum sclerostin is associated with VC and all-cause mortality among patients with CKD.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Cardiovascular events
• chronic kidney disease
• sclerostin
• serum sclerostin
• vascular calcification

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Canxin Zhou; Data curation: Yan Lin, Liman Mao; Formal analysis: Yan Lin; Investigation: Yan Lin, Liman Mao; Methodology: Yan Lin, Canxin Zhou; Software: Yan Lin; Supervision: Canxin Zhou; Validation: Canxin Zhou; Roles/Writing – original draft: Yan Lin, Siqi Chen; Writing – review &editing: Yan Lin, Canxin Zhou. All authors have read and approved the content of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Project of the Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau [2019C50078].