Weight change may harm people with kidney disease

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In a new study from Seoul National University Hospital, researchers linked weight fluctuations—or body mass index variability—to higher risks of heart-related problems and early death in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Body mass index variability is associated with higher risks of developing heart conditions in the general population.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in individuals with CKD.

In the study, the team examined whether BMI variability may affect the outcome of patients with kidney dysfunction.

The study included 84,636 patients with CKD who were listed in a national health screening database in South Korea.

During a follow-up of 4 years, 6% of people died, 4% needed kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis, 2% suffered a heart attack, and 3% suffered a stroke.

Compared with people with the lowest body mass index variability, those with the highest body mass index variability faced a 66% higher risk of dying, a 20% higher risk of needing kidney replacement therapy, a 19% higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, and a 19% higher risk of experiencing a stroke.

The findings showed that people who had kidney function impairment with recent fluctuating body mass index had a higher risk of heart disease or death, regardless of their current body mass index.

The results suggest that people with kidney function impairment should pay attention to their fluctuating weight status.

Those with fluctuating weight may benefit from receiving appropriate screening and risk factor management to prevent cardiovascular disease or progression of their kidney dysfunction.

In addition, variabilities in certain metabolic syndrome components were also strongly linked to the prognosis of predialysis CKD patients.

If you care about kidney health, please read studies about these two diabetes drugs could both effectively reduce heart and kidney disease and findings of severe COVID-19 linked to this kidney disease.

For more information about your kidney and your health, please see recent studies about this one-off kidney surgery could help treat high blood pressure and results showing that these lifestyle habits could protect your kidney health.

The study is published in JASN. One author of the study is Dong Ki Kim, MD, Ph.D.

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