Depressive Symptoms Linked to Rapid Kidney Function Decline

Summary: More frequent symptoms of depression were linked to a rapid decline in kidney function over four years in those who initially had healthy kidney function.

Source: American Society of Nephrology

In a study of adults with normal kidney function, those who had frequent depressive symptoms were more likely to later experience a rapid decline in kidney function.

The study will appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN.

Depression is a common condition in middle-aged and older adults, and it can contribute to a variety of mental and physical problems. Previous research has found a link between depressive symptoms and rapid kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

To look for a potential link in adults with normal kidney function as well, a team led by Xianhui Qin, MD (Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, in China) examined information on 4,763 individuals with healthy kidneys when they enrolled in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

At the start of the study, 39% of participants had high depressive symptoms, and during a median follow-up of 4 years, 260 (6%) participants experienced rapid kidney function decline. There was a significant association between depressive symptoms at the start of the study and rapid decline in kidney function during follow-up.

Participants with frequent depressive symptoms were 1.4-times more likely to experience rapid kidney function decline than participants with infrequent depressive symptoms, after adjustments.

“CKD is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the identification of more modifiable risk factors may possibly reduce the huge burden of CKD and its related complications by leading to early detection and prevention,” said Dr. Qin.

This shows a depressed looking person
Among individuals with healthy kidneys, those with more frequent depressive symptoms were more likely to show signs of rapid kidney function decline over a median follow-up of 4 years. Image is in the public domain

“While our study does not show causality, it demonstrated that high depressive symptoms were significantly associated with rapid decline in kidney function among Chinese adults with normal kidney function. If further confirmed, our data provide some evidence for depressive symptom screening and effective psychosocial interventions to improve the prevention of CKD.”

An accompanying Pantiet Voice article provides the perspective of a two-time kidney transplant recipient with an American-Born Chinese background

Study co-authors include Zhuxian Zhang, MD, Panpan He, MD, Mengyi Liu, MD, Chun Zhou, MD, Chengzhang Liu, MS, Huan Li, MD, Yuanyuan Zhang, MD, Qinqin Li, MD, Ziliang Ye, MD, Qimeng Wu, MD, Guobao Wang, MD, and Min Liang, MD.

Disclosures: Dr. Xianhui Qin reports grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. No other disclosures were reported.

About this depression research news

Source: American Society of Nephrology
Contact: Press Office – American Society of Nephrology
Image: The image is in the public domain

Original research: Open access.
Association of Depressive Symptoms with Rapid Kidney Function Decline in Adults with Normal Kidney Function” by Zhuxian Zhang, Panpan He, Mengyi Liu, Chun Zhou, Chengzhang Liu, Huan Li, Yuanyuan Zhang, Qinqin Li, Ziliang Ye, Qimeng Wu, Guobao Wang, Min Liang and Xianhui Qin. CJASN


Abstract

Association of Depressive Symptoms with Rapid Kidney Function Decline in Adults with Normal Kidney Function

Background and objectives 

The relationship of depressive symptoms with kidney function remains poorly investigated. We aimed to evaluate the prospective association between depressive symptoms and rapid decline in kidney function in Chinese adults with normal kidney function.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements 

A total of 4763 participants with eGFR≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline were enrolled from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Baseline depressive symptoms were determined using a ten-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale with a cutoff score of greater than or equal to ten to define high depressive symptoms. The GFR was estimated by a combination of serum creatinine and cystatin C. The primary outcome was rapid decline in kidney function, defined as an annualized decline in eGFR of ≥5 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Secondary outcome was defined as an annualized decline in eGFR of ≥5 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and to a level of <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at the exit visit.

Results 

During a median follow-up of 4 years (interquartile range, 3.92–4.00), 260 (6%) participants developed rapid decline in kidney function. Overall, there was a significant positive association between baseline depressive symptoms and rapid decline in kidney function (per five-scores increment; adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.28) after adjustments for major demographic, clinical, or psychosocial covariates. Consistently, compared with participants with low depressive symptoms (total Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score less than ten), a significantly higher risk of rapid decline in kidney function was found among those with high depressive symptoms (total Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score greater than or equal to ten; adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.88). Similar results were found for the secondary outcome (per five-scores increment; adjusted odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.51).

Conclusions 

High depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher risk of rapid kidney function decline among Chinese adults with normal kidney function.

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