|
|
Metabolic Syndrome, Kidney Disease Linked
People who have metabolic syndrome also have an increased long-term risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers from the University of California San Francisco analyzed the relationship between metabolic syndrome and CKD in over 10,000 middle-aged Americans participating in a long-term study of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
All subjects initially had normal kidney function. None had diabetes at the beginning of the study, but 21% had at least one characteristic of metabolic syndrome, including the following:
- Large waist measurement—over 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men.
- High triglyceride level—150 mg/dL or higher.
- Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ("good cholesterol")—under 50 mg/dL for women and 40 mg/dL for men.
- High blood pressure—130/85 mm Hg or higher, or taking blood pressure medications.
- High blood glucose (blood sugar) level—110 mg/dL or higher.
During follow-up, seven percent of subjects developed CKD, reflecting a gradual, irreversible loss of kidney function. With adjustment for other factors, CKD risk was 43% higher in subjects with any of the five characteristics of metabolic syndrome, compared to those with no characteristics.
Early identification of CKD is a major health care priority, especially because effective treatments can slow or prevent progressive kidney disease. Like metabolic syndrome, CKD is recognized as a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Early treatment of CKD has been shown to reduce the risk of later development of cardiovascular disease.
The new results suggest that metabolic syndrome is an important risk factor for CKD in middle-aged people without diabetes. This risk is significant even after adjustment for other factors, and increases along with the number of metabolic syndrome characteristics present.
|
|
|
