Association between Depression and Renal Hyperfiltration in a General Chinese Population

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Depression is common in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients and linked to poor outcomes.
• Abnormally elevated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), or hyperfiltration, is implicated in CKD initiation and progression.
• The relationship between depression and hyperfiltration remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between depression and renal hyperfiltration.
• To explore the role of depressive symptoms and episodes in hyperfiltration.
• To examine this relationship in a Chinese adult population without CKD.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study design.
• Inclusion of 3,716 adult volunteers (aged 40-75) from a Chinese community.
• Assessment of depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and diagnostic interviews.

Main Results:

• Clinically relevant depression (PHQ ≥10) was found in 115 participants; minor or major depressive episodes in 122.
• Depression was significantly associated with renal hyperfiltration in men, but not women, after multivariable adjustment.
• Men with clinically relevant depression had a 4.81-fold increased risk (OR 4.81; 95% CI 1.62-14.30) and those with major depressive episodes a 7.45-fold increased risk (OR 7.45; 95% CI 2.04-27.21).

Conclusions:

• Depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes are linked to renal hyperfiltration in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men without CKD.
• Findings suggest depression may play a role in the development of high eGFR and subsequent CKD.
• Further research is warranted to confirm and elucidate the role of depression in abnormal eGFR and CKD pathogenesis.