Rapid weight swings closely related with decreased kidney functions: Study

South Korea: Bodyweight fluctuations were strongly related to an increased risk of fast renal function decline in persons with normal kidney function, according to a recent study.

This study was conducted by Young Su Joo and team with an objective to look at the impact of body weight fluctuations on renal function degradation in a prospective cohort of people with normal kidney function. The findings of this study were published in Obesity, journal of The Obesity Society on 9th December, 2021.

For this research, data came from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Body weight fluctuations were calculated using average successive variability (ASV), which was defined as the average absolute body weight change for all subjects based on repeated assessments. Using linear regression analysis of successive estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) readings for each patient, the drop in eGFR over time was computed. Rapid eGFR decline was defined as an annual average eGFR decline of more than 3 mL/min/1.73 m2.

The results stated as follow:

1. A total of 6,790 people were studied. Rapid eGFR reduction was reported in 913 (13.4%) patients over a median follow-up of 11.7 years.

2. When the subjects were divided into ASV tertiles, fast eGFR drop was more common in the highest ASV tertile group than in the lowest.

3. Using multiple logistic regression models, researchers discovered that the probability of fast eGFR reduction was higher in the highest ASV tertile group compared to the lowest (odds ratio: 1.66).

In conclusion, "At an 11-year follow-up, the largest tertile of weight variability was related with the greatest reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Rapid weight swings may be related with a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate," said the Authors.

Reference:

Joo YS, Nam KH, Jhee JH, Yun HR, Lee S, Han SH, Yoo TH, Kang SW, Park JT. Body weight fluctuation is associated with rapid kidney function decline. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Jan;30(1):257-267. doi: 10.1002/oby.23326. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PMID: 34889070.