Association between Kidney Function and Framingham Global Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score: A Chinese Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is generally considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, but rates in individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) are uncertain. The Framingham global CVD risk score (FRS) equation is a widely accepted tool used to predict CVD risk in the general population. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether an association exists between eGFR and FRS in a Chinese population with no CKD or CVD. METHODS: A total of 333 participants were divided into three groups based on FRS. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and CKD-EPI equation for Asians (CKD-EPI-ASIA) were used to measure eGFR. RESULTS: A significant inverse association between eGFR and FRS was confirmed with Pearson correlation coefficients of –0.669, –0.698 (eGFR(CKD-EPI), P<0.01) and –0.658, –0.690 (eGFR(CKD-EPI-ASIA), P<0.01). This association gradually diminished with progression from the low- to high-risk groups (eGFR(CKD-EPI), r = –0.615, –0.282, –0.197, P<0.01, P<0.01, P>0.05; similar results according to the CKD-EPI-ASIA equation). In the low- or moderate-risk new-groups, this association became stronger with increased FRS (eGFR(CKD-EPI-ASIA), r = –0557, –0.622 or –0.326, –0.329, P<0.01). In contrast to the results from 2008, eGFR was independently associated with FRS following adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Renal function has multiple influences on predicting CVD risk in various populations. With increasing FRS and decreasing eGFR, it is also independently associated with CVD, even in individuals with eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2).