Risk factors for renal disease and urinary abnormalities in men and women: data from the World Kidney Day in the province of Ferrara, Italy

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem due to its morbidity and mortality, and cost. World Kidney Day (WKD) has been planned to improve disease prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate CKD risk factors and urinary abnormalities, collected on WKD along several years, in men and women.

Patients and methods: Between 2006 and 2012, 1980 subjects, of whom 1012 women, from general population living in Ferrara area, a town in the north-east of Italy, were investigated. For each participant age, sex, smoking, hypertensive and diabetic status, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP) were obtained. Moreover, body shape index (BSI) was calculated. All subjects underwent dipstick urinalysis.

Results: Men had higher BMI, WC, and BP than women. Women had higher prevalence of abdominal obesity and higher BSI (0.0951 ± 0.0105 vs. 0.0920 ± 0.0071 m(11/6)kg(-2/3)), while men had higher prevalence of overweight. In women, hematuria and leukocyturia were more prevalent (16.9% vs. 12.8%; OR 95%CI 1.161 (1.042-1.294); p = 0.012; 18.5% vs. 7% OR 95%CI 1.538 (1.403-1.676); p < 0.001, respectively), while glycosuria was less frequent (4.2% vs. 8.8% OR 95%CI 0.642 (0.501-0.822); p < 0.001) than in men. Frequency of proteinuria was similar in the two sexes. Venn diagrams indicate a different overlap of urinary abnormalities in the two sexes.

Conclusions: Risk factors for CKD collected during the WKD appear to be different in the two sexes, and urinary abnormalities overlap differently. Data collected during the WKD are related to sex, and women deserve greater attention.