Changes in weight associated with parallel changes in albuminuria in a population-based longitudinal study

In 6894 participants of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease study, weight changes (gain/loss) and their impact on albuminuria, renal function and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. After a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, 101 subjects experienced significant weight loss (-14.2 kg), 348 significant weight gain (+13.4 kg) whereas the remaining subjects remained stable (+1.4 kg). Weight loss was associated with significant improvement in systolic/diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol and urine albumin excretion (UAE) even after adjusting for the use of medication. Weight gain was associated with a significant worsening of these parameters whereas no changes were observed in glomerular filtration rate in either group. Multivariate regression modelling revealed that only part of the relationship between weight changes and UAE was explained by the effect of weight change on two conventional risk factors (blood pressure and cholesterol) whilst the association disappeared when changes in CRP were included in the model. Based on these longitudinal data obtained in the general population, the authors hypothesize that weight-induced changes in vascular inflammation may be responsible for the improvement in albuminuria.

Abstract

Keywords:
Albuminuria – Blood pressure – Cardiovascular risk – Cholesterol – CRP – Inflammation – Obesity