Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO937

Kidney Size in Relation to Aging, Gender, Function, and CKD Risk Factors

Session Information

• Geriatric Nephrology
  November 03, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Geriatric Nephrology

• 901 Geriatric Nephrology

Authors

• Pani, Antonello, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy

Antonello Pani,

• Piras, Doloretta, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy

Doloretta Piras,

• Masala, Marco, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Marco Masala,

• Delitala, Alessandro, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Alessandro Delitala,

• Urru, Silvana A.m., CRS4, Pula, Italy

Silvana A.m. Urru,

• Balaci, Lenuta, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Lenuta Balaci,

• Ferreli, Liana, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Liana Ferreli,

• Loi, Francesco, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Francesco Loi,

• Atzeni, Alice, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy

Alice Atzeni,

• Racugno, Walter, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Walter Racugno,

• Ventura, Laura, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy

Laura Ventura,

• Zoledziewska, Magdalena, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Magdalena Zoledziewska,

• Steri, Maristella, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Maristella Steri,

• Fiorillo, Edoardo, Center ProgeNIA, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Edoardo Fiorillo,

• Schlessinger, David, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

David Schlessinger,

• Cucca, Francesco, Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Cagliari, Italy

Francesco Cucca,

Background

Renal function is known to decrease progressively with age even in healthy individuals, in a process known as nephrosenescence. However, the relation of aging to renal volume is less clear. In our study we examined the relationship between renal function and kidney size, with a focus on the progressive effect of aging and the effect of several variables (heritability, CKD risk factors) on renal volumes.

Methods

Ultrasound kidney size parameters (total kidney volume, parenchymal kidney volume, and kidney length) were systematically determined using cross-sectional data from a general population cohort encompassing an age range 18-100. Among them, we separately analyzed 2,421 “healthy” and 1,539 “comorbid” individuals carrying CKD risk factors. Kidney volumes were adjusted for BSA.

Results

Gender and age effects on kidney size parameters were observed. In healthy volunteers, an early increase in kidney size was followed by progressive decrease in males, whereas in females the decline began earlier and continued throughout the lifespan. As a result, after the 3-4th decade, men had higher kidney volumes than women throughout life (p< 0.001). In comorbid individuals, a more evident early increase and a faster subsequent decrease in kidney sizes were seen (p < 0.001). The decline in kidney size parameters in the elderly was accompanied by a parallel decrease in eGFR. Heritability estimates for kidney size parameters ranged from 12% to 27%; the predominant influence of non-genetic parameters included effects of smoking and other CDK risk factors.

Conclusion

Our cross-sectional analysis showed dynamic changes in kidney size throughout life, which were influenced by both gender, age, and CKD risk factors. Heritability was overall relatively modest, while substantial effects of metabolic comorbidities and modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking and lipid levels) were seen.

Funding

• Other NIH Support