Elevated triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are independently associated with the onset of advanced chronic kidney disease: a cohort study of 911,360 individuals from the United Kingdom

Background Increased total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations, are established risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; but their impact on the risk of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. This study evaluates the association between the different lipid profiles and the onset of advanced CKD using a general population sample. Methods This observational study used records of 911,360 individuals from the English Clinical Practice Research Datalink (from 2000 to 2014), linked to coded hospital discharges and mortality registrations. Cox models were used to examine the independent association between the equal quarters of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C and the risk of advanced CKD, after adjustment for sex and age, and potential effect mediators. Results During a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 11,825 individuals developed CKD stages 4-5. After adjustment for sex and age, the hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for CKD stages 4-5 comparing the 4th vs. 1st quarters of TG and 1st vs. 4th quarters of HDL-C were 2.69 (95% CI, 2.49-2.90) and 2.61 (95% CI, 2.42-2.80), respectively. Additional adjustment for potential effect mediators reduced the HRs to 1.28 (95% CI, 1.15-1.43), and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.14-1.41), respectively. There was no evidence of fully adjusted associations with CKD stages 4-5 for levels of either TC or LDL-C. Conclusions Elevated TG and reduced HDL-C levels are independently associated with the onset of advanced CKD. Future studies, such as in basic science and randomized trials, are needed to understand whether associations between TG and HDL-C and the development of CKD are causal.

Automated summary

This observational study found that elevated TG levels and reduced HDL-C levels are independently associated with the onset of advanced CKD, while there is no evidence of association between TC or LDL-C levels and the development of CKD stages 4-5. Further research is needed to determine if the associations between TG and HDL-C and the development of CKD are causal.