Exploring the Interplay of Factors in Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights from The Malaysian Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia; hence, identifying factors associated with the early stage of CKD is crucial for preventive measures. This study investigated the association between various factors and their interaction in a multi-ethnic Malaysian cohort.

METHODS: A nested case-control analysis was conducted on 3,160 eligible participants with renal profile data from The Malaysian Cohort project. CKD status was determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Multiple logistic regression analysis using the likelihood ratio method was used to identify the factors and their interaction with CKD.

RESULTS: This study suggested five factors associated with CKD: gender, ethnicity, physical activity, atherogenic plasma index (AIP), and systolic blood pressure. There was an interaction between AIP and gender, with increased odds of CKD among men with high AIP.

CONCLUSIONS: As CKD is mainly asymptomatic until it is in the later stages, these five factors serve as valuable tools for predicting CKD and enhancing the identification of at-risk individuals, particularly among men with elevated AIP. Future studies should focus on using these factors, especially in preventing new CKD cases and their progression.