Vascular Calcification as a Novel Risk Factor for Kidney Function Deterioration in the Nonelderly

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Radiology

Background:

• Vascular calcification is associated with chronic kidney disease.
• The impact of vascular calcification on renal function deterioration is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if higher vascular calcification, indicated by coronary artery calcium score (CACS), is associated with more rapid kidney function decline.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 739 individuals with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) undergoing cardiac computed tomography.
• Participants were categorized by CACS (0, 1-99, ≥100) and followed for approximately 7.8 years.
• Linear mixed models and propensity score matching were used to analyze eGFR decline and renal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Individuals with CACS ≥100 showed a significantly faster annual decline in eGFR compared to those with CACS 0.
• The CACS ≥100 group had a 2.52-fold increased hazard for meeting Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria.
• Renal outcomes were more prevalent in the high CACS group (13.2%) versus the no calcification group (1.9%) after propensity score matching.

Conclusions:

• Higher coronary artery calcium scores are associated with accelerated kidney function decline.
• Vascular calcification may play a role in the progression of chronic kidney disease.
• These findings suggest CACS could be a marker for assessing kidney disease progression risk.