Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
Temporal relation between body mass index and renal function in individuals with hypertension and excess body weight
Márcia Regina Simas Gonçalves Torres1, Luciana Guerra Cardoso, Virginia Genelhu de Abreu
1Hypertension Clinic, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology, CLINEX, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Objective:
Recent evidence has suggested obesity as an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease. However, the temporal relation between body mass index (BMI) and early renal dysfunction is unknown. This study aimed at evaluating whether longitudinal variations in BMI would reflect on changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in hypertensive individuals with excess body weight.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, longitudinal study.
Results:
Of the 218 participants who attended the first examination, 150 were available for paired final analyses. At the end of follow-up, GFR decreased by 1.024 mL/min for each 1-kg/m(2) increment in BMI (P<0.03). When BMI was analyzed in quartiles, a positive graded relation with GFR changes was observed in quartiles 1 and 2 (individuals who maintained or lost weight), and a negative relation in quartiles 3 and 4 (individuals who gained weight, P=0.05). A significant difference was observed between the smallest and highest BMI quartiles (P=0.01). At the end of follow-up, the 76 participants (51%) who gained weight (+4.6+/-0.4 kg) showed a reduction in GFR (-2.99+/-1.99 mL/min) of borderline significance (P=0.06) and a significant increase in fasting plasma glucose and triacylglycerol levels. Conversely, the 74 participants who maintained or lost weight showed no significant change in GFR and in fasting plasma glucose and triacylglycerol levels, although their blood pressure decreased significantly.
Conclusions:
Our study showed a significant temporal association between changes in BMI and GFR in overweight and obese hypertensive patients.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

