Physical activity levels in patients with chronic kidney disease entering the LORD trial

To assess physical activity, and its associations with health, clinical, and biochemical factors, in patients with stages 2-4 of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Cross-sectional data were collected from 120 patients with CKD enrolled in the Lipid lowering and Onset of Renal Disease (LORD) trial. Patients with serum creatinine levels >120 micromol x L(-1) were included, and those taking lipid-lowering medication were among those excluded. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess physical activity (Active Australia) and health (SF-36). A cutoff of 600 MET x min x wk(-1) was used to determine those meeting national activity guidelines. Clinical and biochemical data included renal function, medications, an index of coexistent disease, lipid levels, dietary intake, liver enzymes, and full blood count measures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine associations between physical activity and health, clinical, and biochemical data.

Fifty percent of patients met activity guidelines, and 9% (n = 11) reported no physical activity. Patients who met the guidelines were very active, completing on average more than 2400 MET x min x wk(-1), predominantly achieved by walking. Patients with CKD had lower SF-36 physical component summary scores compared with a reference population; however, none of the SF-36 physical functioning measures were associated with physical activity levels or meeting activity guidelines.

Many patients with stages 2-4 of CKD are meeting, and exceeding, recommended levels of physical activity, indicating that CKD is not necessarily a limitation to activity.