Measures of Kidney Disease and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) Study

Am J Kidney Dis. 2017 Aug;70(2):182-190. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2016.10.039. Epub 2017 Jan 23.

Abstract

Background: Kidney disease has been associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, but results conflict and there is little information regarding blacks.

Study design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting & participants: 30,239 black and white adults 45 years or older enrolled in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) Study 2003 to 2007.

Predictors: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the combined creatinine-cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) equation and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR).

Outcomes: The primary outcome was adjudicated VTE, and secondary outcomes were provoked and unprovoked VTE, separately. Mortality was a competing-risk event.

Results: During 4.6 years of follow-up, 239 incident VTE events occurred over 124,624 person-years. Cause-specific HRs of VTE were calculated using proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, sex, race, region of residence, and body mass index. Adjusted VTE HRs for eGFRcr-cys of 60 to <90, 45 to <60, and <45 versus ≥90mL/min/1.73m2 were 1.28 (95% CI, 0.94-1.76), 1.30 (95% CI, 0.77-2.18), and 2.13 (95% CI, 1.21-3.76). Adjusted VTE HRs for ACR of 10 to <30, 30 to <300, and ≥300 versus <10mg/g were 1.14 (95% CI, 0.84-1.56), 1.15 (95% CI, 0.79-1.69), and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.25-1.62). Associations were similar for provoked and unprovoked VTE.

Limitations: Single measurement of eGFR and ACR may have led to misclassification. Smaller numbers of events may have limited power.

Conclusions: There was an independent association of low eGFR (<45 vs ≥90mL/min/1.73m2) with VTE risk, but no association of ACR and VTE.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease (CKD); albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR); albuminuria; deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus; glomerular filtration rate (GFR); kidney disease measures; race; renal insufficiency; vascular disease; venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Black or African American*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Prospective Studies
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / complications*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism / complications*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / epidemiology*
  • White People*