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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Association between baseline kidney function and change in CRP: an analysis of the cardiovascular health study

Dena E Rifkin1, Ronit Katz, Linda F Fried

  • 1Division of Nephrology, University of California, San Diego and Veterans' Affair Hospital, San Diego, CA 92093-9111, USA. drifkin@ucsd.edu

Nephron. Clinical Practice
|April 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study found no link between kidney function and changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) over time. While cross-sectional studies show an inverse relationship, this longitudinal analysis in older adults did not confirm it, suggesting other factors may be involved.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Inflammation Markers

Background:

  • Cross-sectional studies indicate an inverse relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and kidney function.
  • The longitudinal association between kidney function and subsequent changes in CRP remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and changes in CRP over time in a cohort of older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 4,364 individuals from the Cardiovascular Health Study.
  • Baseline eGFR estimated using cystatin C (eGFRcys).
  • CRP measured at baseline and over 7 years; change in CRP calculated.

Main Results:

  • Mean age was 72 years, mean eGFRcys was 78.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2).
  • No significant association was found between baseline eGFR and yearly changes in CRP after adjustments.
  • A lower baseline eGFR was associated with a non-significant increase in CRP (0.032 mg/l/year).

Conclusions:

  • No relationship was observed between kidney function (eGFR) and subsequent changes in CRP in this cohort.
  • The cross-sectional association may be confounded by atherosclerosis or masked by comorbidity and mortality in older adults.
  • Further research in younger populations is needed to clarify the longitudinal impact of kidney function on inflammation.
Abstract

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