A prospective study of estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria as predictors of left ventricular mass index in patients of chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as one of the most prominent causes of death and suffering in the 21st century. Due in part to the rise in risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, the number of patients affected by CKD has also been increasing, affecting an estimated 843.6 million individuals worldwide in 2017.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive study analyzed 92 chronic kidney disease patients over 18 months. The study compared proteinuria, creatinine clearance, and serum creatinine levels with left ventricular mass.
Results: The decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the increased protein excretion had a significant impact on the left ventricular mass index (p < 0.01). Patients with a normal left ventricular mass index had a mean GFR of 55 ml/min and a mean proteinuria of 2.2 g. In contrast, patients with an abnormal left ventricular mass index exhibited a mean GFR of 17.9 ml/min and a mean proteinuria of 8.5 g.
Conclusion: Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of illness and death, responsible for 40 – 50% of deaths among CKD patients. Therefore, early intervention to prevent extensive proteinuria and gradual decline in glomerular filtration rate through medication and dialysis could enhance the cardiovascular well-being of CKD patients.