Perinephric fat volume and its negative correlation with the eGFR according to a population health screening: a cross-sectional study

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the global population. This study investigated the correlation between ultrasonographically assessed perinephric fat volume (PrFV) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) through a health screening of a Chinese population and explored the potential of the PrFV as a modifiable risk factor for CKD.Methods This cross-sectional study included 213 adults aged 18 years or older from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Demographic data, medical history, the results of anthropometric assessments, and laboratory data were collected. The PrFV was measured using ultrasonography. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to assess the association between the PrFV and the eGFR.Results The median age of the participants was 45.8 years, with a median eGFR of 83.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. Compared with the lowest PrFV tertile group, the highest PrFV tertile demonstrated significantly lower eGFRs. Additionally, body weight and BMI were greater in the highest PrFV tertile group (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression revealed a significant negative association between the PrFV and the eGFR (β=-1.30, 95% CI −1.87 to −0.74, p < 0.001), indicating that each 10 cm³ increase in the PrFV corresponds to a 1.30 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in the eGFR, after adjusting for potential confounders.Conclusion There was an independent negative correlation between the PrFV and the eGFR according to a population health screening. These findings suggest that an increase in the PrFV is associated with a decrease in the eGFR, warranting further investigation into the mechanistic role of perinephric fat in CKD.