Association of obesity with inflammation in chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

As adipose tissue releases inflammatory cytokines, obesity is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the general population. We examined the cross-sectional association of body mass index (BMI) with CRP in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Cross-sectional study.

Ninety-four CKD patients with varying levels of renal function seen at the University of Utah outpatient renal clinic were studied.

Data on demographics (age, gender, race), comorbidity (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction/angina, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and smoking) and anthropometry (height and weight) were obtained by patient interview and chart reviews. High-sensitivity CRP was measured by the N-latex assay on a BN II nephelometer.

Risk factors of high CRP.

In a multivariable logistic regression model, when compared with patients with a BMI < 25, the odds of CRP > 3.0 mg/L were 2.5-fold (95% CI, 1.02 to 5.99) higher in patients with BMI > or = 30. In a stepwise multiple linear regression model, BMI (regression coefficient [beta] = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.1; P < .01), serum creatinine (beta = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.3; P = .01) and age (beta = 0.01; 95% CI, -0.001 to 0.03; P = .05) were significantly associated with log transformed CRP.

These data suggest that as in the general population, in CKD patients, obesity, a traditional risk factor for atherosclerosis, is associated with inflammation, a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis.