Prognostic Significance of Spot Urine Na/K for Longitudinal Changes in Blood Pressure and Renal Function: The Nagahama Study

Abstract

Background: Urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na/K) represents a simple measure of sodium load and has been reported to be associated with blood pressure (BP) levels in a cross-sectional setting even with spot measurements. The aim of the present large-scale cohort study is to determine prognostic significance of spot urine Na/K for longitudinal changes in BP levels and renal function.

Methods: The present study population consisted of 7,063 individuals from the general population. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline and at a follow-up interval of 5 years.

Results: Mean systolic BP was slightly increased during the follow-up period (overall, 124 ± 17 to 125 ± 18 mm Hg; nontreated participants, 119 ± 15 to 122 ± 17 mm Hg). Although, the urinary Na/K demonstrated a linear association with BP in a cross-sectional analysis (P < 0.001), analysis of repeated measured BP values identified baseline Na/K * time interaction, i.e., an intraindividual effect, as an inverse determinant (F = 76.9, P < 0.001) independently of hypertension status and fasting conditions possibly due to regression to the mean of temporary high baseline Na/K values at baseline. Spot urine Na/K values were found to be positively associated with renal function in a cross-sectional analysis (P < 0.001). Although baseline Na/K * time interaction showed inverse associated with renal functional decline (F = 85.8, P < 0.001), this inverse association might not represent physiological relationship in likewise fashion with the analysis for BP.

Conclusions: Spot urine Na/K may have limited utility as a prognostic marker of longitudinal BP change, as well as renal functional decline.

Keywords: blood pressure; chronic kidney disease; hypertension; longitudinal study; urinary Na/K.