CKD Outcomes Are Impacted by Weight Fluctuation

Weight fluctuations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular-related outcomes and mortality risk, according to the results of a recent study.¹

The researchers conducted their study using 84,636 participants with CKD from a national health screening database in South Korea. Of these participants, 4% needed kidney replacement therapy, 2% experienced myocardial infarction, 3% experienced strokes, and 6% died over 4 years of follow-up.

Patients with the highest body mass index (BMI) variability had a 66% higher mortality risk, 20% higher risk of kidney replacement therapy, 19% higher risk of myocardial infarction, and 19% higher risk of stroke than those with the lowest level of BMI variability.

“This study showed that people who had kidney function impairment with recent fluctuating body mass index had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease or death, regardless of their current body mass index,” the authors said in a press release.² “This result suggests that people with kidney function impairment should pay attention to their fluctuating weight status, and those with fluctuating weight may benefit from receiving appropriate screening and risk factor management to prevent cardiovascular disease or progression of their kidney dysfunction.”

—Michael Potts

References:

1. Kim DK, Cho S, Lee S, et al. The prognostic significance of body mass index and metabolic parameter variabilities in predialysis chronic kidney disease: a nationwide observational cohort study. J Am Soc Nephrol. Published online August 12, 2021. https://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/early/2021/08/12/ASN.2020121694 

2. Weight fluctuations may predict poor outcomes in adults with kidney disease. News release. American Society of Nephrology; August 12, 2021. https://www.newswise.com/articles/weight-fluctuations-may-predict-poor-outcomes-in-adults-with-kidney-disease