Visceral Adiposity and Physical Fitness in CKD

Obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major public health problems. Obesity independent of its relationship with diabetes and hypertension is associated with the development and progression of kidney disease. However, higher body mass index (BMI) in those with pre-existing CKD is associated with lower mortality (obesity paradox). This may be due to the inability of BMI to differentiate fat mass and muscle mass, which may have opposite relationship with cardiovascular disease and death. Body fat distribution is a major factor of metabolic health with metabolic abnormalities correlating better with visceral than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Further, higher fitness levels among those with higher BMI is associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and mortality that might explain this obesity paradox. Therefore, among Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study participants, the investigators propose (a) to examine whether visceral adiposity is associated with a higher incidence of composite outcomes (i.e., mortality, cardiovascular events, end stage renal disease, and 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate), (b) to determine if physical fitness modifies the association between adiposity and outcomes, and (c) to study whether visceral adiposity and physical fitness are associated with altered adipokine profile, inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. The study proposes to enroll 526 patients with varying degrees of kidney disease from 7 clinical centers involved in the CRIC study. Visceral adiposity will be measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen using a standard protocol, and physical fitness will be measured using a 400 m walk test during routine CRIC study visits. Results from this study will help the Investigators understand the independent and combined effects of visceral adiposity and physical fitness on cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression among CKD patients. This study will also highlight potential pathways that mediate the relationship between adiposity and outcomes, which will become the focus of future therapeutic investigations in CKD.