Associated factors related to chronic kidney disease progression in elderly patients

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. The prevalence of CKD is rising especially in elderly, as consequence of population-ageing related to socioeconomic development and better life expectancy. There are scarce studies evaluating CKD progression and its associated factors in elderly patients.

This is a retrospective observational study including 340 patients (≥ 65 years old) CKD stages 3a-5 non-dialysis, incidents in an outpatient CKD clinic, followed by 2.1 years. CKD progression was assessed by the slope of eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI and BIS 1 equations. The patients were divided in progressor and non-progressor groups (eGFR slope < or ≥ 0 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, respectively).

Kidney function declined in 193 (57%) patients. In this group, the progression rate was -2.83 (-5.1 / -1.1) mL /min /1.73 m2 /year. Compared to non progressor, the progressor patients were younger [72 (69-78) vs. 76 (69-80) years; p = 0.02]; had higher proportion of diabetic nephropathy, higher serum phosphorus [3.8 (3.3-4.1) vs. 3.5 (3.9-4.1) mg/dL; p = 0.04] and proteinuria [0.10 (0-0.9 vs. 0 (0-0.3)] g/L; p = 0.007)] at the admission. In the logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender and eGFR, proteinuria was independently associated with CKD progression [OR (Odds Ratio) (1.83; 95% CI, 1.17-2.86; p < 0.01)].

CKD progression was observed in the majority of elderly CKD patients and proteinuria was the most important factor associated to the decline of kidney function in this population.