Associated factors related to chronic kidney disease progression in elderly patients

by Cláudia Tótoli, Aluizio Barbosa Carvalho, Adriano Luiz Ammirati, Sergio Antônio Draibe, Maria Eugênia F. Canziani

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. The prevalence of CKD is rising especially in elderly, as consequence of population-ageing related to socioeconomic development and better life expectancy. There are scarce studies evaluating CKD progression and its associated factors in elderly patients.

This is a retrospective observational study including 340 patients (≥ 65 years old) CKD stages 3a–5 non-dialysis, incidents in an outpatient CKD clinic, followed by 2.1 years. CKD progression was assessed by the slope of eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI and BIS 1 equations. The patients were divided in progressor and non-progressor groups (eGFR slope < or ≥ 0 mL/min/1.73 m²/year, respectively).

Kidney function declined in 193 (57%) patients. In this group, the progression rate was -2.83 (-5.1 / -1.1) mL /min /1.73 m² /year. Compared to non progressor, the progressor patients were younger [72 (69–78) vs. 76 (69–80) years; p = 0.02]; had higher proportion of diabetic nephropathy, higher serum phosphorus [3.8 (3.3–4.1) vs. 3.5 (3.9–4.1) mg/dL; p = 0.04] and proteinuria [0.10 (0–0.9 vs. 0 (0–0.3)] g/L; p = 0.007)] at the admission. In the logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender and eGFR, proteinuria was independently associated with CKD progression [OR (Odds Ratio) (1.83; 95% CI, 1.17–2.86; p < 0.01)].

CKD progression was observed in the majority of elderly CKD patients and proteinuria was the most important factor associated to the decline of kidney function in this population.