Nonlinear association between estimated glucose disposal rate and kidney stones: a cross-sectional study

Kidney stone disease is increasingly prevalent and may be linked to metabolic factors such as insulin resistance, but there is currently no direct evidence connecting estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) to kidney stones. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between eGDR and kidney stone prevalence.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007-2018, including 29,753 participants aged 20 years and older. Weighted multivariable logistic regression and nonlinear models were employed to assess the relationship between eGDR and self-reported kidney stone history.

Among participants, 9.90% reported having kidney stones. Multivariable analysis revealed that higher eGDR values were associated with decreased odds of kidney stones (odds ratio [OR] = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94). Participants in the highest eGDR tertile demonstrated approximately half the odds of kidney stones compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43-0.64). Nonlinear analysis identified a threshold effect at eGDR = 7.95, with significant inverse associations only observed above this threshold (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.92).

This study identifies a nonlinear relationship between eGDR and kidney stones, with a threshold effect at eGDR = 7.95. The inverse association was significant only when eGDR exceeded this threshold, suggesting the potential utility of eGDR as a clinical indicator for kidney stone risk assessment. Prospective studies are needed to establish causal relationships.