Glomerular filtration rate is related to carotid intima-media thickness in middle-aged adults.

BACKGROUND: Severe renal dysfunction is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between renal function and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a middle-aged population-based cohort.

METHODS: A total of 247 males and 258 females aged 40-62 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Renal function was assessed with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and carotid atherosclerosis with ultrasonography as the mean IMT of the far carotid wall.

RESULTS: The mean eGFR values were 90.2 (SD 16.8) ml/min/1.73 m(2) for men and 78.0 (SD 14.0) ml/min/1.73 m(2) for women, and the mean cIMT values were 0.92 (SD 0.21) mm for men and 0.82 (SD 0.12) mm for women. The mean cIMT was highest in the tertile with the lowest eGFR in both sexes (P = 0.013 for males and P = 0.031 for females). In males, the eGFR tertile was significantly associated with cIMT (P = 0.026) in a model adjusted for traditional risk factors. Renal function was also significantly associated with cIMT in a subset of 149 postmenopausal women (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS: Even a minor deterioration in renal function was independently associated with increased cIMT in the middle-aged male population and in the postmenopausal women. This finding underlines the importance of early detection of subjects with mildly decreased kidney function and the aggressive management of atherosclerotic risk factors in this population.