Strategies to Treat Obesity in Patients with CKD

Obesity prevalence continues to increase worldwide, accompanied by a rising tide of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although body mass index is typically used to assess obesity in clinical practice, altered body composition (eg, reduced muscle mass and increased visceral adiposity) are common among patients with CKD. Weight loss achieved through behavioral modification or medications reduces albuminuria and in some cases slows the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Use of medications that promote weight loss with favorable cardiovascular risk profiles should be promoted, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and CKD. For those who fail to achieve weight loss through lifestyle modification, bariatric surgery should be considered because observational studies have shown reductions in risk for estimated glomerular filtration rate decline and kidney failure. Uncertainty persists on the risk to benefit ratio of intentional weight loss in patients with kidney failure due to the lack of prospective trials and limitations of observational data. Regardless, sleeve gastrectomy is increasingly being used for patients with kidney failure and severe obesity, with success in achieving sustained weight loss, improved access to kidney transplantation, and favorable posttransplantation outcomes. More research is needed assessing long-term cardiovascular and kidney outcomes of most weight loss medications.

Automated summary

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases, and weight loss can improve kidney health in CKD patients. Medications promoting weight loss reduce albuminuria, but the risk to benefit ratio of intentional weight loss in kidney failure patients remains controversial.