Association between obesity measures and albuminuria: A population-based study

Albuminuria and markers for cardiovascular risk in 12-year-olds from the general Dutch population: a cross-sectional study

In adults, albuminuria represents a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with hypertension and obesity. Pediatric data from the general population are inconsistent and largely based on randomly collected urine. A possible association between antenatal programming and albuminuria at school age has still to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to assess albuminuria in first morning void urine samples in a population-based pediatric cohort and to investigate cross-sectionally the association with factors related to cardiovascular risk. Moreover, we investigate the possible association of antenatal factors with albuminuria. A first morning void urine sample was collected in the population-based GECKO (Groningen Expert Center for Kids with Obesity) Drenthe cohort at the age of 12 years. We investigated cross-sectionally associations between albuminuria and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP) and antenatal factors. The prevalence of UACR (urinary albumin-creatinine ratio) ≥ 3 mg/mmol was 3.3% (95%CI 2.3-4.2). In a multivariate linear regression model, UAC was negatively associated with z-BMI (β-0.08, p = 0.013) and positively with z-systolic BP (β 0.09, p = 0.006), model significance p = 0.002. UACR was negatively associated with z-BMI (β - 0.13, p < 0.001) and positively with z-diastolic BP (β 0.09, p = 0.003), model significance p = 0.001. Albuminuria was not significantly associated with antenatal factors such as gestational age and standardized birth weight.

CONCLUSIONS

 Albuminuria in first morning void urine in 12-year-olds has a lower prevalence than previously reported by randomly collected samples. A negative association between albuminuria and BMI is confirmed. A positive association with blood pressure, but no association with antenatal factors was found.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• While, in adults, albuminuria is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with hypertension and obesity, pediatric data are inconsistent and largely based on randomly collected urine. • A possible association between antenatal programming and albuminuria at school age has still to be investigated.

WHAT IS NEW

• In this population study on first morning void urine samples from 12-year-olds of the general population, albuminuria is negatively associated with body mass index, and positively associated with blood pressure, while there is no association with antenatal factors. • The prevalence of albuminuria at 12 years is lower than previously reported in studies based on randomly collected urine samples, probably due to elimination of orthostatic proteinuria.

Glycated serum proteins and albumin but not glycated albumin show negative correlation with BMI in an overweight/obese, diabetic population from the United States

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Multiple previously published studies have shown a weak to medium, negative correlation between BMI and glycated albumin (GA). However, many of these studies were in populations with a narrow range of BMI. It is unknown whether this trend exists if a wider BMI range is used. This is an important question for proper interpretation of GA levels in obese populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of clinical trial data (NCT02519309) was performed. After appropriate exclusions, 334 subjects remained. These included 73.7% with type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis and 26.3% with prediabetes. BMI ranged from 24.8-86.9 kg/m2. Laboratory data were measured in a CLIA-certified laboratory using commercially available, automated methods.

RESULTS

No significant, negative correlation was seen between GA and BMI. However, individual components (glycated serum proteins and albumin) as well as the GA/HbA1c ratio show a weak, negative correlation with BMI for all subjects and those with T2D. The strongest negative correlation was with albumin. Examination by traditional BMI subgroups also showed statistically significant differences for those with T2D, but not for the prediabetic cohort. Correlations between BMI and C-reactive protein were similar in those with diabetes and prediabetes; however, correlation between BMI and insulin was stronger in those with diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Negative correlations between BMI and albumin or BMI and glycated serum proteins persist in diabetic populations that are obese and overweight, even when a statistically significant negative correlation is not observed between BMI and GA. Inflammation or insulin-mediated changes in protein synthesis could be contributors to these negative correlations, but BMI-related changes to the glomerulus could also affect clearance of albumin or glycated proteins and should be examined.

Excess selenium intake is associated with microalbuminuria in female but not in male among adults with obesity: Results from NHANES 2009-2018

Introduction

Selenium is a critical trace element with antioxidant activities that has been related to the preservation of kidney function. Few studies, however, have looked at the effects of excess selenium on kidneys. The purpose of the present study was performed to investigate the relationship between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of microalbuminuria in American adults with obesity.

Methods

A total of 8,547 participants with obesity in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with the age of 19 years or older were included in the present study. Multivariable regression and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the association between dietary selenium and microalbuminuria in the two genders, separately. A selenium intake above the median was defined as high selenium intake.

Results

Dietary selenium intake was significantly higher in men compared to women (139.49 μg/day vs. 101.06 μg/day; P < 0.0001). Among female participants, the prevalence of microalbuminuria was significantly higher in participants with a high selenium intake compared with those without a high selenium intake (13.82 vs. 9.96%; P = 0.008), whereas this difference did not exist in male participants (10.79 vs. 11.97%; P = 0.40). Dietary selenium is not significantly correlated with microalbuminuria (P = 0.68) in the male population, whereas each 1 μg/day of increase in selenium consumption was independently associated with a 6h higher risk of microalbuminuria (OR = 1.006; 95% CI, 1.001-1.011, P = 0.01) in females.

Conclusion

According to our research, excessive selenium consumption is positively correlated with microalbuminuria in females with obesity, but not in males with obesity.

Albuminuria within the Normal Range Can Predict All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality

BACKGROUND

Despite interest in low-grade albuminuria and poor clinical outcomes, evidence from a large-scale population is lacking. Therefore, we identified the association of low-grade albuminuria within the normal range with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality.

METHODS

After excluding individuals with urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g (n=6094), this cohort study analyzed 43,396 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2016). Participants were divided into four quartiles of ACR. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was CV mortality. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used.

RESULTS

During a median 7.9 years of follow-up, 3516 (9%) participants died. Compared with the reference group (Q1, ACR <4.171 mg/g), low-grade albuminuria groups were associated with all-cause mortality (Q3, ACR ≥6.211 to <10.010 mg/g, hazard ratio [HR], 1.25 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.41]; Q4, ACR ≥10.010 mg/g, HR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.41 to 1.76]) in a multivariable hazards model. A similar pattern was also seen in the association of low-grade albuminuria with CV mortality. Subgroup analyses showed that low-grade albuminuria was also associated with all-cause mortality in the nondiabetic group, nonhypertensive group, and non-CKD group (eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m²).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that low-grade albuminuria is associated with all-cause and CV mortality. Low-grade albuminuria should be monitored, even for patients with low CV risk.

Decreased Analgesic Requirements in Super Morbidly Versus Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Background

Scarce data exists about analgesic requirements in super morbidly obese (SMO) patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. We attempted to investigate analgesic requirements for SMO, when compared with morbidly obese (MO) individuals who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and its impact on postoperative outcome.

Methods

We studied 279 consecutive patients (183 MO, 96 SMO) who underwent bariatric surgery. Data analysis included perioperative anaesthetic management, analgesic consumptions, opioids side effects, and ICU admission.

Results

The SMO group showed higher patients with asthma, epilepsy, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and ASA III percentages (P = 0.014, P = 0.016, P ˂ 0.001, and P ˂ 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in the total morphine consumption intraoperatively, or after 24 h. However, reduced consumption of intraoperative fentanyl and morphine in SMO when calculated per total body weight (TBW) (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). At PACU, tramadol consumption per TBW and lean body mass (LBM) were significantly reduced in SMO (P = 0.001 and P = 0.025, respectively). Paracetamol consumption was significantly reduced in the SMO group (P = 0.04). They showed higher comorbidities (P ˂ 0.001), longer anaesthesia time (P = 0.033), and greater ICU admissions (P ˂ 0.001). Vomiting was higher in the MO group (P = 0.004). Both groups showed comparable pain scores (P = 0.558) and PACU stay time (P = 0.060).

Conclusions

Super morbidly obese patients required fewer opioids and analgesics perioperatively. They exhibited higher comorbidities with greater anaesthesia time and ICU admissions. PACU stay time and pain scores were comparable.

Association of metabolic syndrome with the incidence of low-grade albuminuria: a cohort study in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults

Background: Individuals with metabolic syndrome have elevated risks of micro- and macro-albuminuria as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objective: To assess the influence of metabolic abnormalities on the presence of low-grade albuminuria (below the threshold for microalbuminuria).

Design, participants, and main outcome measures: This community-based cohort study included 3,935 eligible individuals aged 40 years or older. The presence of low-grade albuminuria was detected in those without micro- or macro-albuminuria and analyzed according to the highest quartile of the baseline urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR ≥11.13 mg/g). CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m² or the new presence of albuminuria (ACR ≥30 mg/g).

Results: Overall, 577 (14.7%) participants developed low-grade albuminuria and 164 (4.2%) participants developed CKD during a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years. Compared with participants without metabolic syndrome, those with metabolic syndrome had greater risks of low-grade albuminuria [adjusted odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.30 (1.05–1.61)] and CKD [1.71 (1.20–2.44)]. Moreover, the incidence rates of low-grade albuminuria and CKD increased as the number of metabolic syndrome components increased (P for trend <0.0001).

Conclusions: The presence of metabolic syndrome is associated with increased incidence rates of low-grade albuminuria and CKD the middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations.

Association between obesity and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in the middle-aged and elderly population of Southern and Northern China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between obesity and albuminuria has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between obesity and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in Southern and Northern China.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Eight regional centres in REACTION (China's Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals, a lONgitudinal study), including Dalian, Lanzhou, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Guangxi, Luzhou, Shanghai and Wuhan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 41 085 patients who were not diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and had good compliance were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Patients who were diagnosed with CKD, who had other kidney diseases that could lead to increased urinary protein excretion, who were using angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers and whose important data were missing were excluded.

RESULTS

Participants with both, central and peripheral obesity, had a higher risk of elevated UACR, even after adjusting for multiple factors (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.12, p<0.001), and the risk of high UACR in the South was more prominent than that in the North (OR _South: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.34; OR _North: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.22, p<0.001). The risk was also elevated in the male population, hypertensive individuals, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)≥6.5% and age ≥60 years in the South. Besides the above groups, diabetes was also a risk factor for the Northern population.

CONCLUSIONS

In China, people with both central and peripheral obesity are prone to a high UACR, and the southern population has a higher risk than northern population. Factors such as male sex, hypertension, HbA1c≥6.5% and an age ≥60 years are also risk factors for CKD.

Association Between Neck Circumference and Microalbuminuria in Community Residents

OBJECTIVE

Neck circumference (NC) represents the subcutaneous fat deposition in the neck and is an effective indicator for evaluating metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, subclinical atherosclerosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Microalbuminuria (MAU) is regarded as a potential sign of systemic endothelial dysfunction and microvascular abnormalities. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association of NC with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and MAU.

METHODS

A total of 1882 Shanghai community residents were enrolled (816 men and 1066 women), with age ranging from 40 to 80 years. Anthropometric parameters, including NC, and biochemical indices were measured. MAU was determined if 30 mg/g ≤ UACR < 300 mg/g. An elevated NC was defined as NC ≥ 38.5 cm for men and NC ≥ 34.5 cm for women.

RESULTS

Individuals with an elevated NC had significantly higher prevalence of MAU and UACR values than those with normal NC in both men and women (all P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that there were significant and positive associations between elevated NC and the increasing risk of MAU after adjusting for lipid profile and glycemic indices (P = 0.007 for men and P = 0.009 for women). After further adjusting for blood pressure, elevated NC caused an 69.3% additional risk of MAU in men (P = 0.037) and the positive correlation in women disappeared (P = 0.131).

CONCLUSION

There was an independent and positive association between elevated NC and the risk of MAU in men in the Chinese community population.

CHINESE CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY WWWCHICTRORGCN REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900024011.

Unravelling gender-specific factors that link obesity to albuminuria

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a major public health problem, which continues to be diagnosed and classified by BMI, excluding the most elemental concepts of the precision medicine approach. Obesity does not equally affect males and females, even with the same BMI. Microalbuminuria is a risk marker of cardiovascular disease closely related to obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gender-dependent differences in the development of early obesity-related disease, focusing on pathologic microalbuminuria (PMA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We developed a single-centre cross-sectional study including 1068 consecutive adults from May 2016 to January 2018, divided into two groups: one including the first 787 patients attended, evaluated as a description population; the second group included 281 subjects analysed as an external validation population. Collected data included medical history, anthropometric measures, abdominal bioimpedance and routine laboratory tests.

RESULTS

First, we confirmed the lack of accuracy of classic obesity measures in predicting microalbuminuria. Second, we tested the utility of a tailored evaluation to predict PMA, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.78 for females and 0.82 for males. We also confirmed the different physiology of visceral adiposity for males when compared to females, in which small variations of fat mass entail major changes in the clinical repercussion. Third, we performed an external validation of our results, achieving a 77% accuracy rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support that there is an individual threshold of fat amount necessary to develop obesity-dependent PMA and that gender plays a major role in the interplay between PMA and adiposity.

Effects of low skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenic obesity on albuminuria: a 7-year longitudinal study

We aimed to identify the association between low skeletal muscle, sarcopenic obesity, and the incidence of albuminuria in the general population using a longitudinal study. Data from 29,942 subjects who underwent two or more routine health examinations from 2006 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Relative skeletal muscle mass was presented using the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), a measure of body weight-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The cumulative incidence of albuminuria was 981 (3.3%) during the 7-year follow-up period. The hazard ratio of incident albuminuria was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.22–1.71, p for trend <0.001) in the lowest SMI tertile relative to the highest SMI tertile after multivariable adjustment. After additionally adjusting for general and central obesity, the hazard ratio was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.13–1.61, p for trend = 0.001) and 1.30 (95% CI: 1.08–1.56, p for trend = 0.003), respectively. Furthermore, the risk of developing albuminuria was much higher in the sarcopenic obesity group (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.21–1.81, p for trend <0.001) compared to the other groups. Sarcopenic obesity, as well as low skeletal muscle, may lead to albuminuria in general populations.

Visceral adiposity index is associated with increased urinary albumin excretion: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

The effects of visceral fat accumulation on the renal damage have drawn much attention. We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between visceral adiposity and albuminuria.

METHODS

We included information from a population-based study in 9473 subjects aged 40 years or older. As a novel and valid indicator for visceral adipose function, visceral adiposity index (VAI) was determined by gender-specific equations and calculated using simple anthropometric and functional parameters. Increased urinary albumin excretion was defined as albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) 30 mg/g or greater.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of increased urinary albumin excretion was 6.6% in this population and gradually increased across VAI quartiles. Participants with higher VAI had elevated age, blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting insulin and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of increased urinary albumin excretion for increasing VAI quartiles were 1.00 (reference), 1.29 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.94-1.76), 1.46 (95% CI 1.08-1.97) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.33-2.41). In subgroup analysis and after multiple adjustments, significant relation between VAI level and prevalent increased urinary albumin excretion was detected in women, younger subjects, non-obesity subjects, those without diabetes and those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m².

CONCLUSION

Visceral fat accumulation evaluating by VAI is independently associated with increased urinary albumin excretion in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Association of body mass index and weight gain patterns with albumin excretion in pregnancy

AIM

We examined body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) patterns of pregnant women and investigated the impact of these factors on the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) during pregnancy.

METHODS

The data of 163 women whose basal BMI and ACR were measured during the first trimester were used in this study. Body weight alone between 12-16 weeks and body weight together with ACR after 37 weeks of gestation were measured.

RESULTS

Overall, 46% of women were overweight or obese, 60.7% had excessive weight gain and 16.6% had inadequate weight gain. Only 22.7% of women gained weight within the recommended range. There was no difference in weight gain patterns with respect to BMI. ACR during the third trimester was significantly higher than during the first trimester (7.08 [0.00-1180.90] mg/g vs 4.73 [0.00-275.00] mg/g, respectively; P = 0.001). The ACR of obese women was higher than in normal weight subjects during the third trimester (16.79 mg/g [0.01-1180.90] vs 8.07 mg/g [0.10-402.14] respectively; adjusted P = 0.015). Both ACR change and third trimester ACR were weakly but significantly correlated with basal BMI (r: 0.228 P: 0.003 and r: 0.301 P < 0.001, respectively) but not with GWG or GWG rate. Basal BMI was not associated with first-trimester ACR.

CONCLUSION

Obesity is associated with an increase in urinary albumin excretion during the course of pregnancy. Distinction of this relationship during pregnancy offers an opportunity for further research on pathophysiological mechanisms. The alarmingly high rate of non-compliance with IOM guidelines in pregnant women is a concern. Prompt measures for counseling of women before and during pregnancy in order to maintain healthy weight are needed.

Microalbuminuria Is Associated with Lower Weight and Taller Height in Adolescence

Microalbuminuria (MA) is a well-known predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults. However, these relationships remain unclear in adolescents. A few studies on association between MA and obesity have been conducted in adolescents. However, the association between MA and growth parameters such as height has not been studied, despite the fact that adolescence is a period of rapid physiological change. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the association between MA and growth parameters, and the association between MA and obesity related cardiovascular risk factors after adjusting for growth. The study included 1,459 adolescents (847 boys and 612 girls) aged 12-18 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2013). A urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30-299 mg/g in a morning urine sample was considered to reflect MA. MA was detected in 53 (3.6%) including 24 girls. Height z-score of adolescents with MA was greater than that of normoalbuminuric adolescents (0.87 vs. 0.38; P < 0.01). Upon multiple regression analysis, UACR was associated with lower weight z-score (β = -0.100, P < 0.01) and higher height z-score (β = 0.069, P < 0.01). In term of cardiovascular risk factors, the UACR was not associated with fasting glucose, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglyceride levels. Adolescents with MA tend to be thin and tall. MA is not a useful screening method for obesity-related cardiovascular risk in adolescents, but instead MA is associated with taller height and lower weight, growth-related parameters in adolescence.

Glycated Hemoglobin is Independently Associated with Albuminuria in Young Nondiabetic People with Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and albuminuria in young nondiabetic people with obesity.

Material/Methods

A total of 537 young nondiabetic people with obesity were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, which was approved by the Rui-jin Hospital Ethics Committee. Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between HbA1c level and albuminuria.

Results

Urinary ACR progressively increased across the tertiles of HbA1c level (P for trend <0.05). HbA1c levels were positively associated with the risk of albuminuria in the logistic regression analysis after adjustment for confounding factors. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for albuminuria was 3.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–11.00; P=0.017) when comparing between the highest (≥5.7%) and lowest tertiles of HbA1c level (≤5.3%). Moreover, an increment of 1 SD in HbA1c level increased the risk of albuminuria in a fully adjusted model (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.25–2.46).

Conclusions

These data suggest that HbA1c level was independently associated with albuminuria in young nondiabetic people with obesity.