The Relationship between Iron Status and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Iron deficiency has long been recognized as a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, whether iron status affects kidney function and CKD in the general population remains unclear. To investigate this relationship, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS).

Our study included 8,339 adults from the CHNS wave of 2009. We measured serum ferritin (SF), transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin (Hb) to assess iron status. We used logistic regression models to examine the association between iron status and CKD, and linear regression models to evaluate the relationship between iron status and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Our results showed that participants in the highest tertile of sTfR had a 28% increased odds of developing CKD compared with those in the lowest tertile. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between SF concentration and CKD prevalence, as well as an association between Hb and CKD in a U-shaped manner. Specifically, participants with Hb levels within the range of 136-141 g/L had the lowest risk of developing CKD.

Furthermore, our study revealed that every 5 g/L increase in sTfR was associated with a decrease in eGFR by 6.00 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and every 100 μg/L increase in SF was correlated with a decrease in eGFR by 0.26 ml/min per 1.73 m2.

In conclusion, our study suggests that iron status is positively correlated with the odds of CKD, and may have a negative impact on kidney function as measured by eGFR. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring iron status in individuals at risk of developing CKD.

Ning Jing Xiaozhuan

Ning jing xiaozhuan