Clinical value of miR-31-5p in predicting vascular calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease

Abstract Objectives Vascular calcification (VC) significantly elevates the mortality risk in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study was to explore the clinical utility of miR-31-5p in the diagnosis and prognostication of VC. Methods According to the occurrence of VC, all patients with ESRD were categorized into a VC group and a non-VC group. Subsequently, the levels of miR-31-5p in these patients were evaluated using RT-qPCR. The ability of miR-31-5p to diagnose VC patients was assessed through receiver operating characteristic curve. To investigate whether miR-31-5p serves as a risk factor influencing the progression of VC, we employed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in conjunction with binary logistic regression analysis. Results In a cohort of 90 patients suffering from ESRD, 63 individuals were diagnosed with VC. Notably, the duration of dialysis in VC patients was significantly prolonged compared to non-VC patients. Conversely, levels of Fetuin-A, albumin, and miR-31-5p were found to be lower in VC patients. Furthermore, a positive correlation emerged between miR-31-5p and both fetuin-A and albumin. Importantly, miR-31-5p demonstrated a proficient capacity to differentiate between VC and non-VC patients. More critically, a decline in miR-31-5p serves as a significant risk factor influencing the progression of VC, subsequently contributing to its exacerbation. Conclusions Patients with ESRD exhibiting low levels of miR-31-5p are at an increased risk for the deterioration of VC. Consequently, we propose that the dysregulation of miR-31-5p serves as a potential predictor for VC risk in individuals with ESRD.