Association between trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio and renal function in elderly Japanese men: baseline data from the...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nephrology
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Central obesity, often assessed by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), is linked to renal function.
• WHR's fat component is limited, especially in non-obese individuals.
• Dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) offers a precise measure of central fat distribution via trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-sectional association between DXA-measured trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
• To assess this relationship in community-dwelling elderly Japanese men.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 575 men aged ≥65 years from the FORMEN cohort study.
• Calculated trunk-to-appendicular fat ratio (TAR) and trunk-to-leg fat ratio (TLR) using DXA.
• Analyzed associations with eGFR, adjusting for confounding factors.

Main Results:

• eGFR significantly decreased across increasing quintiles of TAR/TLR.
• Higher TAR/TLR quintiles were associated with increased odds of eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m².
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for whole-body fat.

Conclusions:

• A higher trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio in elderly men is associated with lower eGFR.
• This relationship is independent of total body fat.
• Central adiposity may play a role in kidney function decline in older men.