Environmental factors and chronic kidney disease: a case-control study

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease that includes a range of different physiological disorders causing abnormal renal function and progressive decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This study aimed to investigate the associations of several Environmental factors with CKD in the Iranian population. This is the second phase of a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted on 700 participants (350 CKD cases and 350 controls, age and gender frequency matched). Multiple logistic regression was applied to measure the associations between the selected factors and CKD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. All p-values were two-sided and the results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. The results suggested that environmental factors including proximity of residence to mines (OR _yes/no=3.98, 95%CI: 2.20-7.21, p < 0.001), proximity of residence to mobile antenna (OR _yes/no=2.20, 95%CI: 1.24-3.89, p = 0.006), and exposure to chemicals (OR _chemical/no=4.40, 95%CI: 2.27-8.53, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with a higher risk of CKD. The present study covered a large number of factors in association with CKD and highlighted the importance of some environmental factors in development of CKD.‌ One of the main causes of heat in the work environment being a risk factor is dehydration caused by high heat. In order to reduce damage to the kidneys in jobs that deal with high heat, the following tips are recommended: drinking fluids, reducing working hours and shifts, proper ventilation in the workplace, using suitable clothes and heat protection.