Blood Pressure Levels, Cardiovascular Events, and Renal Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease Without Antihypertensive Therapy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: High blood pressure (BP) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the thresholds to initiate BP-lowering treatment in this population are unclear. We aimed to examine the associations between BP levels and clinical outcomes and provide evidence on potential thresholds to initiate BP-lowering therapy in people with chronic kidney disease. Methods: This nationwide, multicenter, prospective cohort study included 12 523 chronic kidney disease participants without antihypertensive therapy in mainland China. Participants were followed up during 2011 to 2016 for cardiovascular events (nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalized or treated heart failure, and cardiovascular death) and renal events (≥20% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate, end-stage kidney disease, and renal death). Results: Overall, 652 cardiovascular events and 1268 renal events occurred during 43 970 person-years of follow-up. We observed a positive and linear relationship between systolic BP and risks of cardiovascular and renal events down to 90 mm Hg, as well as between diastolic BP and risks of renal events down to 50 mm Hg. A J-shaped trend was noted between diastolic BP and risks of cardiovascular events, but a linear relationship was revealed in participants <60 years ( P for interaction <0.001). A significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular and renal outcomes was observed at systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg (versus 90–119 mm Hg) and at diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg (versus 50–69 mm Hg). Conclusions: In people with chronic kidney disease, a higher systolic BP/diastolic BP level (≥130/90 mm Hg) is significantly associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular and renal events, indicating potential thresholds to initiate BP-lowering treatment.