Lipids in chronic kidney disease: Alterations and interventions.

Pharmacological and dietary approaches to reducing high blood lipids in the general population decrease cardiovascular disease risk. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often display elevated blood lipids, and reducing cholesterol levels with statin drugs reduces cardiovascular disease in patients with moderate CKD, similar to the effects in the general population. Benefits to kidney disease itself appear to be marginal, if present. Studies with omega-3 fatty acids indicate that both cardiovascular and kidney disease progression may be slowed by dietary omega-3 fatty acids in CKD patients, but long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]