Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant
and growing global health concern, affecting approximately 9.1% of the world's
population, with substantial variation across regions and populations. Renal
function serves as a critical marker of systemic health, influenced by both
physiological ageing and metabolic stress. Rural communities often exhibit
unique risk factor profiles, including differences in diet, physical activity,
healthcare access, and awareness, making it critical to generate localised
evidence. However, limited data exist on how demographic and biochemical
variables jointly impact kidney function in rural Indian populations.
Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the influence of
age, body mass index (BMI), and key biochemical indices on renal function
within a rural Indian cohort.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 individuals was
conducted, analysing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum
creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) across age groups. Data were collected
using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire to gather demographic details,
medical history, and lifestyle factors. Pearson’s correlation and multivariate
linear regression were used to explore associations between renal function and
demographic/biochemical predictors. Statistical analyses were performed using
IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: The mean age was 59.7 ± 17.2 years, and the mean
BMI was 24.5 ± 4.2 kg/m². A significant age-dependent decline in GFR was
observed: from 131.2 mL/min in individuals <40 years to 62.1 mL/min in those
>60 years. Strong negative correlations were found between age and GFR (r =
- 0.71, p < 0.001) and between BMI and GFR (r = -0.35, p = 0.002), while BMI
positively correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0.29, p = 0.006). Age also
showed a strong positive correlation with BUN (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). In
multivariate analysis, age (β = -0.56, p < 0.001), BMI (β = -0.28, p =
0.004), and bicarbonate levels (β = +0.31, p = 0.002) independently predicted
GFR.
Conclusion: Age and BMI are strong, independent predictors
of renal function decline in rural populations. Elevated bicarbonate levels
appear to exert a protective effect. These findings underscore the need for
age- and weight-adjusted screening protocols in low-resource settings to enable
earlier intervention. Limitations of this study include its cross-sectional
nature, which precludes causal inference, and potential confounders such as
dietary habits and undiagnosed comorbidities that were not controlled. Future
longitudinal studies with larger samples and inclusion of inflammatory markers
are warranted to validate and extend these findings.
Author(s) Details
Shilpa Rattan
Biochemistry, SMVDIME, Kakryal, India.
B. Jahnavia
Biochemistry, MNR Medical College, Telangana, India.
Priya Duvedi
Biochemistry, SMVDIME, Kakryal, India.
Abid Manzoor
Physiology, SMVDIME, Kakryal, India.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v12/6245
