Intensity-Specific Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometer, Genetic Susceptibility, and the Risk of Kidney Stone Disease: Results From the UK Biobank

Yashu Liu; Po-Wen Ku; Zhenhua Li; Honghao Yang; Tingjing Zhang; Liangkai Chen; Yang Xia; Song Bai

doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.03.022

Intensity-Specific Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometer, Genetic Susceptibility, and the Risk of Kidney Stone Disease: Results From the UK Biobank

Am J Kidney Dis. 2024 May 14:S0272-6386(24)00760-1. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.03.022. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yashu Liu¹, Po-Wen Ku², Zhenhua Li³, Honghao Yang⁴, Tingjing Zhang⁵, Liangkai Chen⁶, Yang Xia⁷, Song Bai⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
² Graduate Institute of Sports and Health Management, National Chung Hsing University, 402 Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT UK; Department of Kinesiology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, 402 Taiwan.
³ Department of Urology Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
⁴ Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shenyang, China; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
⁵ School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
⁶ Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
⁷ Liaoning Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shenyang, China; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: xytmu507@126.com.
⁸ Department of Urology Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: baisongcmu@163.com.

PMID: 38754804
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.03.022

Abstract

Rationale & objective: Kidney stone disease (KSD), a significant healthcare problem within both developed and developing countries, has been associated with genetic risk factors. As well, an association between physical activity and KSD risk has been hypothesized but studies have yielded inconsistent findings. This study aimed to investigate the association between the intensity of physical activity and the incidence of KSD accounting for genetic risk.

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting & participants: A total of 80,473 participants from the UK Biobank Study.

Exposures: Physical activity levels, including total physical activity (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and light-intensity physical activity (LPA), were measured using accelerometers and quantified using a machine learning model. A polygenic risk score (PRS) for KSD was also constructed.

Outcomes: Individuals with KSD were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition, and procedure codes for KSD surgery.

Analytical approach: A Fine and Gray survival model was used to estimate the associations of incident KSD with TPA, MVPA, LPA, and PRS (as categorical variables). Restricted cubic splines were used to examine potential non-linear associations within the fully adjusted models.

Results: During an average follow-up of 6.19 years, 421 participants developed KSD. Participants in the highest quartiles of TPA, MVPA, and LPA had lower adjusted rates of KSD compared to those in the lowest quartiles: HRs (95% confidence interval) of 0.50 (0.44, 0.56), 0.57 (0.51, 0.64), and 0.66 (0.59, 0.74), respectively. TPA, MVPA, and LPA were associated with lower risk of KSD in participants with low and high genetic predisposition for KSD.

Limitations: Selection bias as participants who provided accelerometry data may have been more adherent to health care.

Conclusion: Physical activity was negatively associated with the risk of KSD, regardless of the genetic risk. Future large studies are warranted to confirm and explain the mechanisms underlying these associations.

Keywords: Accelerometer; Cohort study; Genetic predisposition; Kidney stone disease; Physical activity.