Age, Inflammation, and handgrip Strength stronger predictors of mortality than BNP in CKD Patients: Study

Initial regression models indicated that BNP was a strong predictor of mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.61), suggesting that patients with an increased BNP levels had more than double the risk of death. However, when adjusting for other clinical and biochemical indicators like age, CRP, and handgrip strength, BNP lost its statistical significance as a predictor.

Instead, the final Cox regression model highlighted 3 standout predictors: 1 being age, where each additional year was associated with a 4% increase in mortality risk (HR 1.04), 2 being handgrip strength which showed that greater strength was protective, with a 5% reduction in mortality risk per unit increase (HR 0.95) and CRP Levels which associated with a more than 2-fold increase in mortality (HR 2.61).

Overhydration (OH) did not show a statistically significant relationship with mortality in this study. This finding suggests that while OH is important for symptom control and quality of life, it may not directly impact survival when considered along with stronger indicators like age, inflammation, and physical strength. Overall, the study emphasized that in patients with CKD on hemodialysis, traditional markers like BNP may not be the most reliable indicators of mortality risk. 

Reference:

Svensson, M. K., Nassar, R., Melin, J., Lindberg, M., Furuland, H., & Stenberg, J. (2025). Brain natriuretic peptide and all-cause mortality in patients treated with haemodialysis. BMC Nephrology, 26(1), 291. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04251-8