Identification of young adults at risk of an accelerated loss of kidney function in an area affected by Mesoamerican nephropathy

BMC Nephrol. 2019 Jan 16;20(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12882-018-1193-x.

Abstract

Background: After two-years of follow-up of 263 apparently healthy 18- to 30-year-old men in communities affected by Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN), we identified three distinct case groups: a subgroup with (i) established renal dysfunction (case-group 1); individuals with (ii) a rapid decline in kidney function (case-group 2); and individuals with (iii) stable kidney function (non-cases). This paper investigates whether local tests are potentially useful for the timely identification of these case groups.

Methods: Creatinine levels were measured in local laboratories every six months for two years. Aliquots were sent to a centralized laboratory for measurements of cystatin C and creatinine levels. We investigated agreement between the locally and centrally measured creatinine-based Chronic Kidney disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation for estimating the Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). A logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictive factors for case groups 1 and 2 compared to non-cases. Predictive variables were locally measured eGFR, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) levels. The discrimination performance of the model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results: Considerable variation in local eGFR measurements was observed. The prediction model for case-group 1 included baseline kidney function and with or without uNGAL (AUC = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91-1.00). The prediction model for case-group 2 also required eGFRScr at six and twelve months after baseline, with or without uNGAL levels (AUC = 0.88; 95% CI 0.80-0.99).

Conclusions: Established renal dysfunction was detected at a single time point using local measurements and uNGAL. For the detection of a rapid decline in kidney function over time, at least 2 more measurements at six and twelve months are needed.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology; Kidney function status; Mesoamerican nephropathy; Nicaragua; Prediction; ROC; Serum creatinine; uNGAL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Albuminuria / etiology
  • Albuminuria / urine
  • Area Under Curve
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Creatinine / urine
  • Cystatin C / blood
  • Disease Progression
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Kidney / physiopathology*
  • Kidney Function Tests*
  • Lipocalin-2 / blood
  • Male
  • Nicaragua / epidemiology
  • ROC Curve
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / blood
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / urine
  • Risk
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CST3 protein, human
  • Cystatin C
  • LCN2 protein, human
  • Lipocalin-2
  • Creatinine