Effect of Normalizing eGFR to Standard Body Surface Area on Rates of Obesity-Related Hyperfiltration among Diverse Female Adolescents

Am J Nephrol. 2022;53(4):282-289. doi: 10.1159/000522475. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is more prevalent among African American individuals, increasing the risk for cardiorenal morbidity. We explored interactions between race, BMI, and the risk of hyperfiltration associated with obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG).

Methods: We created a cohort of female adolescents from electronic health records. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated in two ways: (A) using standard age recommended formulae and (B) absolute eGFR - adjusted to individual body surface area (BSA). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the contribution of risk factors for ORG-associated hyperfiltration defined as 135 mL/min/1.73 m2 or 135 mL/min, according to BMI group. Pearson's coefficient was used to assess correlation with creatinine clearance (CrCl).

Results: The final cohort included 7,315 African American and 15,102 non-African American adolescent females, with CrCl available for internal validation in 207 non-African American and 107 African American individuals. Compared with non-African American ethnicity, African American ethnicity was independently associated with a lower risk of hyperfiltration with standard eGFR calculations (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.45-0.71), associations were enhanced for absolute eGFR (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.95). Absolute eGFR values agreed better with CrCl (r = 0.63), compared to standard indexed eGFR formulae. Proportions classified as hyperfiltration changed with standard versus absolute eGFR; they were similar across BMI groups with the first and reflected obesity with the later.

Conclusion: Adjusting to individual BSA improves estimation of GFR and identification of obesity-related hyperfiltration. More accurate and earlier ascertainment of obesity-related hyperfiltration may have important consequences for preservation of kidney function.

Keywords: Clearance; Obesity; Race; eGFR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Surface Area
  • Creatinine
  • Female
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases* / complications
  • Male
  • Obesity* / complications
  • Obesity* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Creatinine