Serum prolactin level in male patients with chronic kidney diseases

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) arises from many heterogeneous disease pathways that alter the function and structure of the kidney irreversibly, over months or years. The diagnosis of CKD rests on establishing a chronic reduction in kidney function and structural kidney damage, which presents with varied clinical manifestations. CKD may be associated with elevation of serum prolactin (PRL) levels. In addition to sexual dysfunction, PRL may have several biologic actions that participate in the atherosclerotic process and lead to insulin resistance. It may also be associated with endothelial dysfunction and lipid profile abnormalities. Objective The objective of this work was to evaluate serum PRL level in male patients with CKD. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 90 male participants, aged 30–60 years old. They were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised 60 male participants diagnosed with CKD, and group 2 included 30 age-matched healthy individuals as a control group. CKD group was subdivided into compensated CKD and CKD on hemodialysis. Results Among 60 patients with CKD, 48 (80%) patients had elevated serum PRL compared with normal serum PRL in group 2. A significant positive correlation was found between PRL and serum creatinine (r=0.259, P<0.05) and a negative correlation was observed between PRL and estimated glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.259, P>0.05). Patients with CKD on hemodialysis had higher PRL level compared with patients with compensated CKD (P<0.05). Conclusion CKD is associated with hyperprolactinemia which was found in most patients.