Long-term association between water intake and kidney function in a population at high cardiovascular risk

J Nutr Health Aging. 2024 Sep;28(9):100327. doi: 10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100327. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Abstract

Objectives: The evidence on water intake in the prevention of kidney function decline is scarce at population level in well-being individuals at high cardiovascular risk. Therefore, we aimed to longitudinally evaluate the associations between total water intake and subtypes and kidney function, through estimated-Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR).

Methods: Three-year prospective analysis conducted in 1986 older adults (aged 55-75 year) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Water intake was assessed using validated beverage and food frequency questionnaires. Serum creatinine-based eGFR (SCr-based eGFR; ml/min/1.73 m2) was estimated using the CKD-EPI equation at baseline, one-year and 3-years of follow-up. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the associations between baseline total water intake and subtypes, and SCr-based eGFR over 3-years of follow-up.

Results: Participants in the highest baseline tertile of total water intake, plain water and water from all fluids showed a lower decrease in SCr-based eGFR after 3-years of follow-up, compared to those in the lowest tertile. Participants with the highest tap water consumption showed a lower SCr-based eGFR decline after 1-year and 3-years of follow-up, in comparerd to participants in the lowest intake category (T3 vs. T1: β: 1.4 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95%CI: 0.5-2.3, β: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.1-2.0, respectively).

Conclusions: Plain water rather than other water sources, and especially tap water, was associated with lower kidney function decline assessed through eGFR over 3-years of follow-up, in older individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

Trial registration: ISRCTN89898870. Retrospectively registered on 24 July 2014.

Keywords: Elderly; Glomerular filtration rate; Kidney function; PREDIMED-Plus study; Plain water; Tap water.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / prevention & control
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Drinking* / physiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate*
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Kidney* / physiology
  • Kidney* / physiopathology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Creatinine