Relationship Between Baseline and Longitudinal Self-Reported Physical Function and Cardiorenal Outcomes in CKD:...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical function is crucial for independence and health.
• Its trajectory in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and impact on outcomes are understudied.
• Self-reported physical function is a key indicator for monitoring patient health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association of baseline and longitudinal self-reported physical function with cardiorenal outcomes in individuals with CKD.
• To identify if physical function predicts heart failure, end-stage kidney disease, and mortality.
• To inform potential interventions aimed at preserving physical function in CKD patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of participants from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.
• Utilized the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and PCS slope to measure physical function.
• Employed multivariable adjusted Cox regression models to analyze associations, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

• Lower baseline PCS scores were associated with increased risks of incident heart failure (HF) and all-cause mortality.
• Declining PCS scores (PCS slope) were independently linked to higher risks of incident HF, all-cause mortality, and incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
• Associations remained significant after full adjustment, highlighting the predictive value of physical function.

Conclusions:

• Baseline and longitudinal physical function are significantly associated with adverse cardiorenal outcomes in CKD.
• These findings underscore the importance of monitoring physical function in CKD patients.
• Interventions targeting physical function preservation may be crucial for improving long-term health outcomes in this population.