Estimated pulse wave velocity and albuminuria in chronic renal disease patients

In chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased pulse wave velocity is associated with renal micro-vascular damage and burdened prognosis in this population of patients. In this study, we aimed to address the association between estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and categorized albuminuria in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Two hundred thirty-two individuals on mean age 68.5 ± 15.03 years old were enrolled. Our participants were classified in both, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria categories according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 criteria. ePWV was calculated using an equation including the age and mean blood pressure (MBP). We divided the patients in two groups according to mean ePWV value equal to 11.69 m/s. The patients with a high ePWV had significantly higher albuminuria and lower eGFR compared to the patients with a lower ePWV. We observed a significant association between high ePWV and classified albuminuria, classified eGFR and diabetes mellitus (x2=18.7, p = 0.001, x2=62.2, p = 0.001 and x2=8.6, p = 0.003 respectively). We also noted a significant association between classified albuminuria and manifested hypertension (x2=19.2, p = 0.001). A multivariable model showed diabetes mellitus and low eGFR to be strong independent predictors for demonstration of albuminuria rather than ePWV value considering for covariates. Even though diabetes mellitus and a low renal clearance were found to be strong predictors for albuminuria, ePWV, depended on age and MBP, was significantly associated with albuminuria in pre-dialysis CKD patients. Interventions on blood pressure control and/or albuminuria could improve the prognosis of these patients.