Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cai, Xiaoyan; Sun, Lichang; Liu, Xiong; Zhu, Hailan; Zhang, Yang; Zheng, Sulin; Huang, Yuli
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in chronic disease. Volume 12(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: cardio-renal risk factors -- chronic kidney disease -- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease -- risk; Chronic diseases -- Periodicals; Chronic diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Chronic Disease -- Periodicals; Chronic Disease -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.044
• DOI: 10.1177/20406223211024361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-6223

Abstract

Background and Aims: Whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) independent of established cardio-renal risk factors remains controversial. We aimed to provide a quantitative estimate of the association and strength between NAFLD and risk of CKD after adjustment for multiple cardio-renal risk factors. Methods: We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar) for studies published from database inception until 30 November 2020. Analysis included cohort studies that reported multivariable-adjusted risk ratios [including odds ratios, relative risks (RRs), or hazard ratios] and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CKD of NAFLD compared with individuals without NAFLD. Results: A total of 11 cohort studies were included comprising 1, 198, 242 participants (46.3% women) for analysis. The median follow-up duration was 3.7 years, with 31, 922 cases of incident CKD. Compared with individuals without NAFLD, unadjusted models showed that NAFLD was associated with a higher risk of CKD (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.38–1.71). After adjusting for multiple cardio-renal risk factors, the CKD risk was still significantly increased in patients with NAFLD (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.27–1.52). Compared with individuals without NAFLD, the adjusted absolute risk increase in NAFLD for CKD was 5.1 (95% CI 3.5–6.8) per 1000 person-years. Conclusion: NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of incident CKD independent of established cardio-renal risk factors.