What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome (n=17470). Intervention: Male sex vs. Female sex. Primary outcome: Advanced CKM syndrome (stages 3-4) in the CHARLS cohort (OR 2.22, p=<0.05).

June 17, 2026Open Access

Age- and Sex-specific Prevalence, Longitudinal Trends and Factors of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Stages among Chinese Adults

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Male sex was a strong risk factor for advanced Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome (OR 2.22 to 23.22 across cohorts), with prevalence reaching 100% in male centenarians.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to characterize the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages among Chinese adults, focusing on age and sex differences.

Key Result

Male sex was a strong risk factor for advanced Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome (OR 2.22 to 23.22 across cohorts), with prevalence reaching 100% in male centenarians.

Key Points

This research aims to characterize the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages among Chinese adults, focusing on age and sex differences.
Analyzed three cohorts of Chinese adults including centenarians.
Assessed age- and sex-standardized prevalence rates of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.
Identified risk factors such as smoking, age, sex, and BMI associated with advanced stages of the syndrome.
Nearly 90% of participants were classified with stage≥1 CKM syndrome, with over 18% having advanced stages.
In male centenarians, advanced CKM prevalence reached 100%.
Risk factors for advanced CKM included increasing age, male sex, smoking, and higher BMI.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=17,470)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

17,470 Chinese adults aged 30 and older from three national cohorts were assessed to determine the prevalence, longitudinal trends, and risk factors of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome.

Outcome

Age- and sex-standardized prevalence of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages (0-4) and risk factors for advanced CKM (stages 3-4)

The prevalence of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome in Chinese adults is high and increases with age, with men experiencing significantly faster age-related progression to advanced stages.

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 2.22

p-value: p=<0.05

Limitations

Potential selection bias due to missing data from some participants
Reliance on self-reported CVD definitions
Finite follow-up due to blood test availability
Small male centenarian sample size

Abstract

Abstract Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome is uncharacterized in Chinese adults across ages, including centenarians. From three cohorts, age- and sex-standardized CKM prevalence showed nearly 90% stage≥1 and >18% advanced. Prevalence rose with age; advanced CKM reached 100% in male centenarians. Age, sex, smoking, and BMI were risk factors for advanced CKM, with faster male progression. These findings highlight growing disease burden in China’s aging population and inform future CKM prevention.

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