Abstract: SA-PO0557
Risk of Incident and Worsening Frailty Associated with ADPKD Among Adults: A Cohort Study
Session Information
- Cystic Kidney Diseases: Clinical Research
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys
- 1201 Genetic Diseases of the Kidneys: Monogenic Kidney Diseases
Authors
- Chao, Chia-Ter, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Wang, Jui, National Taiwan University Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Taipei City, Taiwan
Background
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in adults. Both kidney function decline and ADPKD-related complications may contribute to frailty, a degenerative clinical syndrome. However, the association between ADPKD and frailty risk remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate this association using a longitudinal cohort.
Methods
Adults with ADPKD or acquired kidney cysts (AKCs) were identified from the National Taiwan University Hospital integrate medical database (2006-2021). After propensity score matching (1:4), ADPKD patients were compared with matched AKC controls, the latter serving as outcome-neutral comparators. Participants were followed for incident frailty or worsening frailty based on the FRAIL scale. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk associated with ADPKD, adjusting for demographic factors, comorbidities, medications, laboratory data, and baseline frailty status.
Results
A total of 15,748 patients with ADPKD (11.7%) or AKCs (88.3%) were identified; 775 ADPKD patients and 3,100 matched AKC controls were included in the final analyses. Over a mean 4.8 years, 88 (2.3%) developed incident frailty and 810 (20.9%) experienced worsening frailty. ADPKD was not associated with a significantly increased risk of incident frailty (hazard ratio (HR) 1.211, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.704 - 2.085) or worsening of frailty (HR 0.958, 95% CI 0.8 - 1.147) (Figure). Competing risk analysis accounting for mortality yielded similar findings. Subgroup analyses stratified by baseline frailty status, chronic kidney disease stage, and age group demonstrated consistent results.
Conclusion
In this study, ADPKD was not significantly associated with incident or worsening frailty, irrespective of kidney function. These findings may help alleviate concerns regarding functional decline directly attributable to ADPKD and its complications.