Intakes of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and non-fried fish in relation to incidence of chronic kidney disease in young adults: a 25-year follow-up

Purpose The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing rapidly in many countries and has become a major public health concern. Although intakes of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC omega 3PUFA) and its food source-fish-may have renal protective effects, little is known about the longitudinal association between these dietary factors and CKD incidence. Methods A total of 4133 healthy individuals of black and white race aged 18-30 at baseline (1985-1986) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study were enrolled and followed up over 25 years. LC omega 3PUFA and fish intake were assessed by an interview-based dietary history questionnaire at baseline, year 7 (1992-1993) and 20 (2005-2006). Results Four hundred and eighty-nine incident cases of CKD were identified. After adjustment for potential confounders, LC omega 3PUFA intake was inversely associated with CKD incidence [HR = 0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.89), P = 0.002, with one standard division (0.19 g/day) increment in LC omega 3PUFA]. This inverse association was persisted among females [0.64 (95% CI 0.48, 0.84; P = 0.002], but not males (P-interaction = 0.070). A marginal significant inverse association was also found between non-fried fish consumption and CKD incidence (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.73, 1.01; P = 0.073). Conclusions Dietary LC omega 3PUFA intake was inversely associated with incidence of CKD among American young adults over 25 years of follow-up. The suggestive evidence of the inverse association between non-fried fish consumption with CKD incidence needs further confirmation.