Correlation of Leptin Levels with Level of Protein Energy Wasting in CKD – 5 Patients (Code-T0071)

Background: Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage-5 (CKD-5) often experience Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW), a condition marked by substantial muscle and/or fat mass loss, increasing both morbidity and mortality. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone central to energy balance regulation, is implicated in the metabolic disturbances associated with CKD. Understanding the link between serum leptin levels and PEW can shed light on the mechanisms of malnutrition in CKD-5 patients.

Aims and Objective: To correlate serum leptin levels and level of protein energy wasting in CKD-5 patients.

Results: A cohort of 100 CKD-5 patients with a mean age of 57.3 years was analyzed, with males constituting 62%. A negative correlation (correlation coefficient: -0.254) was identified between Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) scores and serum leptin levels, indicating an inverse relationship between leptin levels and protein-energy wasting. Serum leptin levels also exhibited:

• A negative correlation with serum albumin levels.
• Positive correlations with serum ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

In patients with elevated ferritin and CRP levels and reduced serum albumin, a positive correlation between leptin and PEW was observed, suggesting that leptin resistance and inflammation contribute to malnutrition progression.

Conclusion: This study identified a significant negative correlation between leptin levels and the degree of protein-energy wasting in CKD-5 patients, highlighting leptin's potential as an indicator of nutritional status. Positive associations with inflammatory markers (ferritin and CRP) and a negative link with serum albumin emphasize the combined impact of leptin dysregulation and inflammation in PEW. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both leptin resistance and inflammation in managing PEW in CKD-5 patients. Further studies are needed to explore these mechanisms and develop targeted strategies to improve nutritional outcomes in this population.

Keywords: Serum Leptin, Protein-Energy Wasting, Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 5, Nutritional Status, Inflammation, Subjective Global Assessment, Ferritin, C-reactive Protein (CRP), Serum Albumin.