Association between Physical Activity and Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Participants of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

There is controversy over the association between habitual physical activity and incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this research was to investigate the association between physical activity and incidence of CKD in a population-based cohort study.

In Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) a prospective investigation was performed in 4226 individuals (1872 males and 2354 females) with no known CKD who were followed-up for six years (from phase 3 (2005-2007) to phase 5 (2012-2015). Baseline physical activity was accessed, and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) hours per week was calculated. Glomerular filtration estimation (eGFR) was done using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and CKD was determined as eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CKD and MET categories by reporting odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

The average MET values in males and females were 913 and 638 min/week, respectively. The incidence of CKD was 10.7% in men and 15.4% in women. After adjusting for potential confounders, men with high physical activity had a 30% (95% CI: 0.51-0.95) lower risk of incident of CKD than those with light physical activity (P=0.012). There was no significant association between levels of physical activity and CKD in women (P=0.059).

In this study, higher physical activity levels were associated with lower risk of CKD among men.