The aging-related GFR decline in Chinese healthy elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nephrology
• Public Health

Background:

• Aging is associated with a natural decline in kidney function.
• Understanding age-related changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is crucial for differentiating normal aging from disease-induced decline.
• Healthy aging populations require specific data to establish normative renal function values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate of eGFR decline in healthy Chinese individuals over 65 years old.
• To establish a baseline for normal age-related eGFR changes in this demographic.
• To differentiate normal aging from pathological renal function decline.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 5375 healthy elderly individuals (≥65 years) from Shanghai, China.
• Exclusion of participants with conditions affecting kidney function (diabetes, hypertension, etc.).
• Multivariate linear regression to assess eGFR changes with age and gender.

Main Results:

• Mean eGFR significantly decreased with age across all groups.
• Healthy elderly subjects consistently showed higher eGFR than unhealthy counterparts.
• A linear correlation was observed between eGFR and age (regression coefficient: -0.999 mL/min/1.73 m²/year); gender had no significant impact.

Conclusions:

• Healthy Chinese elderly over 65 experience an annual eGFR decline of approximately 1 mL/min/1.73 m².
• This age-related decline is independent of gender.
• Establishing this normative decline aids in identifying pathological renal impairment in the elderly.