Hyperlipidemia and Renal Diseases

In patients with renal disease, particularly with nephrotic syndrome hyperlipidemia can be seen, and may lead to systemic atherosclerosis and progression of the renal disease. Several lipid abnormalities can be seen in various types of glomerular disease like, diabetic nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency, transplant nephropathy, familial lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency, arteriophepatic dysplasia. Many patients will benefit from antihyperlipidemic therapy such as probucol, niacin, bile acid sequestrants, fibric acid derivatives and usually statins. There are few controlled trials which consider the usage of statins safely in chronic kidney disease. Protective effect of statins from cardiovascular disease are demonstrated in patients who have no renal disease. In conclusion, patient with renal disease must be followed regularly for their serum lipid levels and should be treated cautiously according to the guidelines because of the negative effects of hyperlipidemia. Large randomised controlled studies are needed for safe treatment of hyperlipidemia in patients with renal disease.