Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan

Impact of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on change in renal function in patients after acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with a decline in renal function. This study aimed to investigate the impact of engaging in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) for more than 30 min per day on changes in renal function during the first 3 months after AMI onset. A prospective, observational study was conducted, enrolling 87 patients (75 men; average age, 65.2 ± 12.5 years) who had experienced AMI. The cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys) was collected at and 3 months after discharge. Daily MVPA was measured using triaxial accelerometers at a threshold of 3.0 Metabolic equivalent of the task for 3 months. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were applied to evaluate the longitudinal association between the number of days per week of MVPA for 30 min or more and within-patient changes in eGFRcys. The patients were categorized into three groups based on their MVPA engagement days: 0 days (n = 20), 1-2 days (n = 14), and 3-7 days (n = 53) groups. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, GEE analysis revealed that the eGFRcys slope over 3 months was significantly higher in the 3-7 days group than in 0 days group (B = 2.9, (95% confidence interval: 1.5-4.2), p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained when MVPA time thresholds were set to 40 and 60 min. These findings suggest a significant positive effect of engaging in MVPA for 30 min or more for 3-7 days per week in the improvement of renal function after AMI onset.

Urate Transporter ABCG2 Function and Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study of CKD Progression

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia is not commonly implemented. However, it is unclear whether urate deposition that begins during asymptomatic hyperuricemia can induce nephropathy. Dysfunction of ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), a urate efflux transporter, leads to elevated serum uric acid concentration (SUA). We investigated the association between asymptomatic hyperuricemia and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the impact of ABCG2 on this relationship.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

1,885 Japanese adults undergoing routine health care follow-up between 2007 and 2017 who had eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m², of which 311 had asymptomatic hyperuricemia (SUA >7.0 mg/dL). Study participants were classified into 3 categories of estimated ABCG2 function (full, 75%, and ≤50% function).

PREDICTORS

Baseline SUA and estimated ABCG2 function.

OUTCOME

Change in eGFR over time.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Linear mixed-effect models were used to analyze the relationship between asymptomatic hyperuricemia, ABCG2 function, and eGFR decline.

RESULTS

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia was negligibly associated with eGFR decline overall. However, among those with eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m² and ≤50% ABCG2 function, eGFR decline was associated with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (P = 0.03). ABCG2 was not associated with eGFR reductions when the SUA was <6.0 mg/dL. Among participants with SUA ≥6.0 mg/dL and eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m², ≤50% ABCG2 function was associated with approximately 1.2-fold faster eGFR decline compared with fully functional ABCG2 (P = 0.02). Among the participants with SUA ≥6.0 mg/dL and eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m², the adjusted eGFR slopes (given as mean ± standard error of the mean, in mL/min/1.73 m² per year) were -0.946 ± 0.049, -1.040 ± 0.046, and -1.148 ± 0.069 for full, 75%, and ≤50% ABCG2 function, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of measurement of urinary urate and uremic toxins that are known to be transported by ABCG2, and no independent validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia was not associated with eGFR decline, except when in the presence of ≤50% ABCG2 function.

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

The urate transporter ABCG2 is a protein that regulates serum urate concentrations; when dysfunctional, it can lead to elevated serum concentrations of this compound (ie, hyperuricemia). Although persistent hyperuricemia induces gout and kidney injury, the effects on organs during the asymptomatic phase have yet to be established. Therefore, to clarify the relationship between ABCG2, asymptomatic hyperuricemia, and kidney function, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,885 healthy participants, including 311 participants with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. We found that the coexistence of asymptomatic hyperuricemia and severe ABCG2 dysfunction was associated with the age-dependent decline in kidney function. We concluded that asymptomatic hyperuricemia represents a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, at least in individuals with highly dysfunctional ABCG2. This new finding highlights the potential importance of ABCG2 in the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia-induced kidney injury.

Peak exercise oxygen uptake and changes in renal function in patients after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The impact of exercise tolerance on renal function change after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not clear.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of peak exercise oxygen uptake (VO₂) levels on longitudinal changes in renal function up to 1 year after onset of AMI.

METHODS

This retrospective longitudinal study enrolled 198 AMI patients. Symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed at completion of early Phase II cardiac rehabilitation, and peak VO₂ levels were defined as the primary exposure factor. The estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year were collected. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to test the longitudinal effect of peak VO₂ levels on within-patient changes in eGFR.

RESULTS

Patients were stratified into tertile groups (Low group, 12.3 ± 1.3 mL/kg/min; Mid group, 15.3 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min; and High group, 19.1 ± 2.3 mL/kg/min) according to peak VO₂ levels. The slopes of eGFR over 1 year in the Low (p = 0.024) and Mid groups (p = 0.037) were lower compared to the High group. The Low group had a significantly higher odds ratio of experiencing rapid renal function decline than the High group (odds ratio, 2.87; p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant effect of lower peak VO₂ on rapid decline in renal function after AMI. Our findings suggest that the coexistence of exercise intolerance may be a novel risk factor for rapid decline in renal function after AMI.

Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Suppresses Deterioration of Renal Function in Patients ≥75 Years of Age With Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) and physical activity on the estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum cystatin C (eGFRcys) in patients with heart disease (HD) aged ≥75 years.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This non-randomized prospective intervention study involved 136 patients (non-OCR group, n=66; OCR group, n=70), 55 of whom were aged ≥75 years (non-OCR group, n=29; OCR group, n=26). Renal function (eGFRcys) was evaluated at discharge and 3 months thereafter. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to assess changes in renal function over time. The hospital readmission rate within 3 months after discharge was also evaluated. LMM analysis showed that the change in eGFRcys was -2.27 and +0.48 mL/min/1.73 m2in the non-OCR and OCR groups, respectively (F=2.960, P=0.022). Further, among patients aged ≥75 years in the non-OCR and OCR groups, the change in eGFRcys was -3.83 and -1.08 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively (F=2.719, P=0.039). The proportion of patients aged ≥75 years who were rehospitalized due to exacerbation of HD was 16.9% (n=10) and 6.7% (n=2) in the non-OCR and OCR groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with HD aged ≥75 years, participation in OCR reduces the decline in renal function and hospital readmission rates.

Association between physical activity and changes in renal function in patients after acute myocardial infarction: A dual-center prospective study

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes a decline in renal function. This study aimed to elucidate the longitudinal association between physical activity levels and changes in renal function up to 6 months after the onset of AMI.

METHODS

In this dual-center prospective observational study, 73 AMI patients (67 men; average age, 65.0±11.7 years) were enrolled from 2017 to 2019. Blood biochemistry, urinalysis, and physical function tests were conducted at discharge and 3 and 6 months post-discharge. The renal function was evaluated based on cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys). The number of steps was recorded for 6 months post-discharge. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to test the longitudinal association between physical activity levels and within-patient changes in eGFRcys. Both GEE models with a follow-up period of 3 and 6 months were constructed to assess the effects of the passage of time.

RESULTS

Patients were stratified into the low (n=36; 2903±1187 steps/day) and high groups (n=37; 7988±3192 steps/day) based on the median number of steps. Both GEE models at the 3- (p=0.027) and 6-month follow-up (p=0.034) showed a significant positive association between the physical activity levels and within-patient changes in eGFRcys. The changes in eGFRcys at 6 months were -0.3 mL/min/1.73 m² and +4.4 mL/min/1.73 m² among the low and high group participants, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant positive association between physical activity and renal function changes after the onset of AMI, which persisted when the follow-up period was extended from 3 to 6 months. Our findings support the importance of interventions that enable maintaining high physical activity levels as a strategy for preserving renal function in AMI patients.

Achievement of Target Serum Uric Acid Levels and Factors Associated with Therapeutic Failure among Japanese Men Treated for Hyperuricemia/Gout

Objective To assess the rate of successfully achieving treatment goals among Japanese men with hyperuricemia/gout and identify factors influencing the success rate. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted from January to December 2012, examined the serum uric acid (SUA) levels and clinical characteristics of 2,103 men with hyperuricemia/gout selected from an initial population of 136,770 individuals who participated in a workplace health checkup. The success rates (defined as SUA ≤6.0 mg/dL) were calculated, and a multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with "therapeutic failure" to achieve target SUA levels. Results The rate of successfully achieving the target SUA level was 37.5%. The body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with therapeutic failure [25.0≤ Category (C) 2<27.5, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.35; 27.5≤C3<30.0, AOR=1.69; C4 ≥ 30.0, AOR=1.94; relative to C1<25.0]. A significant positive association was also observed between waist circumference (WC) and therapeutic failure (85≤C2<90, OR=1.29; 90≤C3<95, OR=1.41; 95≤C4, OR=2.28; relative to C1<85.0 cm). Those with higher BMI/WC measurements were significantly more likely to have higher SUA levels than those with lower such measurements. The ongoing intake of dyslipidemia medication was identified as a protective factor against therapeutic failure. Discussion Our findings suggest a possible association between obesity and therapeutic failure, underscoring the importance of maintaining lipid profiles as part of managing SUA levels. Better management of both obesity and dyslipidemia may prevent future cardiovascular disorders by ensuring healthier SUA levels.

Analysis of 2897 hospitalization events for patients with chronic kidney disease: results from CKD-JAC study

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease is a known risk factor for end-stage renal and cardiovascular diseases. However, data are limited on the causes of hospitalization in patients with chronic kidney disease of maintenance period. This study aimed to aggregate hospitalization data of CKD patients and to determine the high-risk population. In addition, we compared CKD population to general population.

METHODS

We conducted a post hoc analysis of the chronic kidney disease-Japan cohort study, a multicenter prospective cohort study of 2966 patients with chronic kidney disease with a median 3.9 years of follow-up. We examined the hospitalization reasons and analyzed the risk factors.

RESULTS

We found 2897 all-cause hospitalization events (252.3 events/1000 person-years), a hospitalization incidence 17.1-fold higher than that in an age- and sex-matched cohort from the general Japanese population. Kidney, eye and adnexa, and heart-related hospital admissions were the most common. All-cause hospitalization increased with chronic kidney disease stage and with the presence of diabetes. Patients with diabetes at enrollment had 345.7 hospitalization events/1000 person-years, which is considerably higher than 196.8 events/1000 person-years for those without diabetes. Survival analysis, using hospitalization as an event, showed earlier all-cause hospitalization with the progression of chronic kidney disease stage and diabetes. Cardiovascular disease hospitalizations were more strongly influenced by diabetes than chronic kidney disease stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic kidney disease and diabetes are highly vulnerable to hospitalization for a variety of diseases. These descriptive data can be valuable in predicting the prognosis of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Association between physical activity and change in renal function in patients after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Combined renal dysfunction worsens the subsequent prognosis in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, establishing a therapeutic modality to maintain or improve renal function in AMI patients is necessary. This study aimed to elucidate the association between physical activity level and change in renal function in such patients.

DESIGN

Prospective and observational study.

METHODS

We enrolled 41 patients (35 men; average age, 67.5 ± 12.6 years) after AMI onset. Blood biochemistry, urinalysis, and physical function tests were conducted at discharge and 3 months after discharge. Renal function was evaluated based on cystatin C based-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys). The number of steps was recorded for 3 months post-discharge. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to test the association between physical activity level and within-patient changes in eGFRcys.

RESULTS

Patients were stratified into low (n = 21; number of steps, 2335 ± 1219 steps/day) and high groups (n = 20; number of steps, 7102 ± 2365 steps/day). eGFRcys significantly increased from baseline to after 3 months in the high group (76.5 ± 13.8 to 83.2 ± 16.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, q = 0.004), whereas no significant change was observed in the low group (65.1 ± 15.9 to 62.2 ± 20.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, q = 0.125). Result of GEE adjusted for potential confounding variables showed a significant positive association between physical activity level and within-patient changes in eGFRcys (p = 0.003). Changes in eGFRcys was -2.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 among low group versus +6.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 among high group.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity level was positively associated with changes in renal function, demonstrating that high physical activity may suppress renal function decline in patients after AMI.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease defined by using CKD-EPI equation and albumin-to-creatinine ratio in the Korean adult population

BACKGROUND/AIMS

An updated chronic kidney disease (CKD) definition and classification were proposed by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), with adoption of a new equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria to evaluate kidney structural damage. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of CKD in the Korean adult population as defined and classified by the KDIGO guidelines.

METHODS

Cross-sectional samples of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2011 to 2012 were examined for adults aged ≥ 19 years. CKD prevalence was determined based on decreased GFR and albuminuria. The GFR was estimated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine equation, and albuminuria was evaluated using the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in spot urine.

RESULTS

Of the 16,576 subjects participating in the survey, 10,636 (4,758 men, 5,878 women) were included in the present study. The prevalence of CKD was estimated as 7.9% (7.8% in 2011 and 8.0% in 2012, p = 0.770). The prevalence of low, moderately increased, high, and very high CKD risk prognosis was 92.0%, 6.3%, 1.1%, and 0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of albuminuria (ACR ≥ 30 mg/g) in individuals with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² has reached 5.7%. The odds ratios of hypertension and diabetes to CKD were 3.4 and 3.1 in men, and 2.9 and 2.0 in women (all p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A large percentage of CKD patients had albuminuria prior to a decrease in GFR. Regular laboratory tests for albuminuria for the high-risk group, and especially for hypertensive or diabetic patients, might improve detection of CKD at an early stage.

Sex Differences in Associations Among Obesity, Metabolic Abnormalities, and Chronic Kidney Disease in Japanese Men and Women

Aims

The present study aimed to investigate relationships among abdominal obesity, metabolic abnormalities, and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in relatively lean Japanese men and women.

Participants and methods

The participants included 8133 men and 15 934 women between 40 and 75 years of age recruited from the government health check-up center in Kanazawa City, Japan. The prevalence of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and high fasting plasma glucose levels were assessed according to the Japanese criteria for metabolic syndrome. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation for the Japanese population, and participants with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² and/or proteinuria were diagnosed with CKD.

Results

Overall, 23% of males and 14% of females met criteria for CKD. Having more numerous complicated metabolic abnormalities was significantly associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) of CKD for men and women, irrespective of abdominal obesity. However, there was a sex difference in the OR of CKD for obese participants without metabolic abnormalities, such that abdominal obesity without metabolic abnormalities was significantly associated with a higher OR for men (multivariate-adjusted OR 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.28) but not for women (OR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.71–1.44).

Conclusions

The present findings demonstrated that obesity without metabolic abnormalities was associated with a higher risk of CKD in men but not women in a relatively lean Japanese population.

Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Asian women

This article presents data on CVD and risk factors in Asian women. Data were obtained from available cohort studies and statistics for mortality from the World Health Organization. CVD is becoming an important public health problem among Asian women. There are high rates of CHD mortality in Indian and Central Asian women; rates are low in southeast and east Asia. Chinese and Indian women have very high rates and mortality from stroke; stroke is also high in central Asian and Japanese women. Hypertension and type 2 DM are as prevalent as in western women, but rates of obesity and smoking are less common. Lifestyle interventions aimed at prevention are needed in all areas.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a community-based population: a 10-year follow-up study

The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors affecting the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general population. We conducted a 10-year follow-up study with 123 764 (male: 41 012, female: 82 752) adults aged 40 years and over who received community-based annual examinations. The primary outcome for the analysis was the development of CKD during the follow-up period. Predictors for the development of CKD were obtained by the significant hazard ratios (HR) in Cox regression model by sex. During the follow-up period, 4307 subjects (male: 2048, female: 2259) developed CKD stage I or II, and 19 411 subjects (male: 4257, female: 15 154) developed CKD stage III or higher. The baseline-adjusted predictor of developing CKD included age, glomerular filtration rate, hematuria, hypertension, diabetes, serum lipids, obesity, smoking status, and consumption of alcohol. Treated diabetes in male subjects, and treated hypertension, systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg, diabetes, and treated diabetes in female subjects were associated with more than a doubling of the HR. For the development of CKD stage III or higher, proteinuria of >or= + +, and proteinuria and hematuria were associated with more than a doubling of the HR in male subjects. The prevalence of newly developed CKD over 10 years was 23 718 subjects (19.2%) in adults. This study suggested that not only hypertension and diabetes but also several metabolic abnormalities were independent risk factors for developing CKD.

Differential impact of family history on age-associated increase in the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in male Japanese workers

Family history and aging are independent risk factors for the development of hypertension as well as for the development of diabetes. However, it is unclear how the family histories influence the rate of age-associated increase in these diseases. Moreover, despite the fact that hypertension and diabetes often occur concomitantly, it is not known whether family history of hypertension increases the risk of diabetes or vice versa. To gain an insight into these questions, we investigated the cross-sectional prevalence and family history of hypertension and diabetes in 1,123 male subjects (mean age, 42.1 +/- 12 years; range, 20-60 years) who participated in annual medical check-ups. The data were analyzed by 10-year age groups (20s, 30s, 40s and 50s). The prevalence of hypertension increased with age group either in the absence (12% in the 20s and 39% in the 50s) or in the presence (21% in the 20s and 59% in the 50s) of family history of hypertension, and thus the increasing rate of prevalence with age was not affected by family history. The prevalence of diabetes in the absence of family history of diabetes was low until the 40s (< 1.2%) but it jumped in the 50s (4.3%). On the other hand, in the presence of family history, the prevalence was 4% in the 20s and progressively increased to 20% in the 50s. The impact of family history on the risk of diabetes was strong and appeared to increase with age. Family history of hypertension did not increase the risk of diabetes, and family history of diabetes did not increase the risk of hypertension. These results suggest that family history of hypertension has an additive impact on the age-associated increase in the risk of hypertension, whereas family history of diabetes has an exponential impact on aging-associated increase in the risk of diabetes.

Increasing gender difference in the incidence of chronic dialysis therapy in Japan

The incidence of chronic kidney disease and its progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) differs between genders, so it can be surmised that the incidence of ESRD is different between men and women. We analyzed the annual incidence of ESRD by gender for a 20 year period, from 1983 to 2002, using Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) registration data. The annual incidence of ESRD was calculated as the number of incident dialysis patients divided by the census population of the previous year in each gender, and expressed per million of each population (male and female). In men, the incidence of ESRD increased from 99.9 in 1983 to 330.2 in 2002, whereas it was 66.6 in 1983 and 184.9 in 2002 in women. The difference of incidence of ESRD from men to women increased from 33.3 in 1983 to 145.3 in 2002. The mean age at the start of dialysis was 51.5 years (men) and 52.5 years (women) in 1983, it increased to 63.8 years (men) and 66.1 years (women) in 2002. The difference in mean age increased from 0.9 years in 1983 to 2.3 years in 2002. There was no clear relationship between the available dialysis station per 100,000 population and the men to women ratio in the prevalent dialysis patients among the 47 prefectures. The acceptance of dialysis therapy might not be strong enough to explain the increasing difference in ESRD incidence between men and women in Japan. Differences in the socioeconomic conditions and lifestyles between men and women, which might be related to the gender difference in incidence in ESRD, should be studied further.

Predictors of diabetic end-stage renal disease in Japan

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been the leading cause of incident dialysis in Japan since 1998, according to the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). In particular, the number of male DM dialysis patients is increasing. DM is becoming a worldwide epidemic in both developed and developing countries. Strategies to detect individuals at high-risk of developing CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are needed that can be implemented on a population-basis. Among the commonly measured variables, dipstick urinalysis (proteinuria, haematuria), blood pressure, serum creatinine, body mass index (BMI), and serum uric acid are significant predictors of ESRD. Recently, we evaluated the effect of DM as a risk factor of developing ESRD. DM was diagnosed when the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 126 mg/dL or more in participants (n = 78529) of the 1993 screening program in Okinawa. The prevalence of DM was 5.2%. The odds ratio (95% CI) of DM for developing ESRD was 3.098 (1.738-5.525, P = 0.0001) after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Early detection and treatment of DM might prevent DM-related ESRD. We examined 7125 non-DM screenees who underwent a 1-day health check between April 1997 and March 1998. They were followed-up until March 2000 to determine whether they developed DM. Over the 2 years, the cumulative incidence of DM was 2.3%, 2.9% in men and 1.3% in women. Proteinuria was the most robust predictor of the development of DM; the adjusted relative risk (95% CI) was 1.90 (1.14-3.17). Obesity, per se, is also recognized as a risk factor for developing proteinuria. The higher the BMI, the higher the risk of developing ESRD; the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 1.273 (1.121-1.446, P = 0.0002) for men. Other than being overweight (BMI = 25.0 kg/m2), a smoking habit was a significant predictor of developing proteinuria. The prevalence of obesity and DM is increasing in Japan. It is possible that the impact of obesity and complications of DM are different among races and ethnicities. Public relations regarding the risk of DM and its complications are especially important in Asian countries. Asians have more fat than non-Asians, even at the same BMI levels. Knowledge of the predictors of DM-ESRD is crucial as a first step toward prevention. Consistent with this notion, initiatives on the management of CKD and ESRD were recently organized in Japan and internationally.

Body mass index and the risk of development of end-stage renal disease in a screened cohort

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with proteinuria and could be a risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, few studies have examined the significance of body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor for the development of ESRD in the general population.

METHODS

We examined the relationship between BMI and the development of ESRD using data from a 1983 community-based screening in Okinawa, Japan. Screenees who developed ESRD by the end of 2000 were identified through the Okinawa Dialysis Study registry. BMI data were available for 100,753 screenees (47,504 men and 53,249 women) aged >/=20 years. The cumulative incidence of ESRD was analyzed according to the quartile of BMI: <21.0, 21.0 to 23.1, 23.2 to 25.4, and >/=25.5 kg/m(2).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) BMI of the screenees was 23.4 (3.3) kg/m(2) (range 7.9 to 59.1 kg/m(2)); the mean was 23.4 kg/m(2) for both men and women. During the follow-up period, 404 screenees (232 men and 172 women) developed ESRD. The cumulative incidences of ESRD per 1000 screenees were, from the lowest to highest BMI quartile, 2.48, 3.79, 3.86, and 5.81. The odds ratio (95% CI) of BMI for developing ESRD, after adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, and proteinuria, was 1.273 (1.121-1.446, P= 0.0002) for men and 0.950 (0.825-1.094, not significant) for women.

CONCLUSION

We found that BMI was associated with an increased risk of the development of ESRD in men in the general population in Okinawa. The maintenance of optimal body weight may reduce the risk of ESRD.

The okinawa screening program

Predictors of ESRD were identified using independent registries of both ESRD patients and the general population in Okinawa, Japan. Besides male gender, we found that the significant predictors of ESRD to be proteinuria, hematuria, and hypertension, especially diastolic BP. Among the laboratory findings, a high serum creatinine level was shown to be a strong predictor of ESRD. The effects of age, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia were insignificant, but this needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort and other registries.

Increased Expression of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 by Mediators of the Acute Phase Response: a Potential Progenitor of Vasculopathy in Hypertensives

Hypertension is an important risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis, which is accelerated by inflammation and diminished fibrinolysis. We have previously shown that levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the major physiologic inhibitor of fibrinolysis, are increased with atherogenic metabolic derangement. Because the liver is one of the major sources of circulating PAI-1, we here examined the effects of two proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, on PAI-1 production in a human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. IL-1beta (1 ng/ml) and IL-6 (1 ng/ml) increased the accumulation of PAI-1 in the conditioned media over 24 h (IL-1beta: 2.1 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD) fold over the control; IL-6:1.4 +/- 0.2 fold; Western blot, p < 0.05). The increase in PAI-1 protein accumulation correlated with the increased expression of PAI-1 mRNA (Northern blot). An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (mevastatin, 10 micromol/l) attenuated the PAI-1 production induced by IL-1beta and IL-6. The plasma PAI-1 activity level was higher in hypertensives than in normotensives (10.0 +/- 9.8 AU/ml vs. 6.2 +/- 4.5 AU/ml, p < 0.05). The plasma PAI-1 antigen level was also higher in hypertensives than in normotensives (30.9 +/- 22.4 ng/ml vs. 24.4 +/- 13.3 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Thus, 1) IL-1beta and IL-6 can increase PAI-1 production in hepatic cells and 2) mevastatin may exert anti-thrombotic effects by decreasing the PAI-1 protein production induced by these proinflammatory cytokines. These results provide further insights into how inflammation is involved in the atherothrombotic complications observed in hypertensives, which may be ameliorated by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.