Association between body mass index as a measure of excess weight and glomerular filtration rate among healthy Nigerian population.

Abstract

Background

There is an increasing interest in the relationship between excess weight and the occurrence of kidney disease. Reports from studies examining the significance of body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor for development of CKD have been largely controversial. Such studies are sparse among the indigenous Nigerian population.

Objective

We examined the relationship between increased weight and renal function among participants during a public medical screening programme.

Method

This is a cross-sectional study involving 659 participants during a public medical screening programme. The Participants were categorized into two groups; those with eGFR ≥ 60 and <60 mL/min/1.73m².

BMI was calculated and classified using the WHO criteria. Correlation was performed with Pearson’s correlation test. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between BMI and CKD after adjusting for potential cofounders.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 39.11 ± 15.18 years. About one third were overweight while 18.2% had BMI 30.0 kg/m² or greater. There was a significant difference in the mean eGFR among person with normal weight compared with obese individuals and a negative association between eGFR and BMI (-.339, p=0.000).  Logistic regression showed that higher BMI remained independently associated with CKD (OR 1.218, 95% CI 1.084-1.368 p=0.000) after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusion

These findings showed that excess weight has a significant association with glomerular filtration rate and should be considered an important risk factor for CKD. Keeping a healthy range BMI may contribute to the prevention of chronic kidney disease.