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Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: The Dual Epidemic in Cardiovascular Health
Christopher Henry Grant1, Samira Bell1
1Division of Population Health and Genomics, School of Medicine, University of Dundee Scotland.
Insights
Obesity significantly increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events in adults. Effective management requires integrated care addressing lifestyle, medications, and surgery to improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Over half of adults are overweight or obese, with 1 in 10 having chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with CKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of obesity in adults with non-dialysis-dependent CKD.
- To highlight therapeutic principles, challenges, and the importance of collaborative care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on obesity-associated kidney disease.
- Discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms including inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
- Analysis of current and emerging treatment options for obesity in CKD patients.
Main Results:
- Obesity with metabolic syndrome contributes to new-onset CKD, disease progression, and cardiovascular death.
- Treatment modalities include lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy (GLP-1 RAs, SGLT2 inhibitors), and bariatric surgery.
- Fragmented care, limited evidence, and environmental factors pose significant management challenges.
Conclusions:
- Collaborative management between cardiologists and nephrologists is crucial for obese adults with CKD.
- Proactive screening and management of cardiorenal risk can mitigate harm.
- Addressing obesity is essential for improving cardiovascular and renal outcomes in this high-risk population.
Abstract:
More than half of adults are overweight/obese and one in 10 has chronic kidney disease (CKD). These patients are at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapeutic principles and challenges of obesity management in adults with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Inflammation, metabolic dysfunction and neurohormonal changes are central processes in the development of obesity-associated kidney disease. Obesity with metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for de novo CKD, progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular death. Treatment options to address obesity and related sequelae include lifestyle interventions, such as dietary modification and exercise therapy, drug treatment, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors, and metabolic surgery, such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or gastric banding. Challenges of management include fragmented care, limited evidence and the obesogenic environment. Cardiologists and nephrologists should work collaboratively to proactively screen for and manage cardiorenal risk in obese adults with CKD to mitigate avoidable harm.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

