Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Nov;37(8):2293-2306.
doi: 10.1007/s40620-024-01933-8. Epub 2024 Apr 9.

Association of kidney function with physical performance: the Maastricht study

Ioannis Bellos  1   2 , Smaragdi Marinaki  3 , Pagona Lagiou  4 , Ioannis N Boletis  3 , Annemarie Koster  5   6 , Marleen M J van Greevenbroek  5   7 , Simone J P M Eussen  5   8   9 , Hans H C M Savelberg  6 , Anke Wesselius #  8   10 , Vassiliki Benetou #  4
Affiliations

Association of kidney function with physical performance: the Maastricht study

Ioannis Bellos et al. J Nephrol. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Kidney failure has been associated with decreased physical capacity, although evidence regarding the physical performance of individuals with earlier stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains limited.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were derived from the prospective, population-based Maastricht Study. Multivariate linear regression models were fitted to assess the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria categories with physical performance test outcomes.

Results: Overall, 7396 participants were included. Compared to eGFR 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m2, values < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were associated with significantly shorter 6-min walk distance (β: - 13.04 m, 95% confidence intervals-CI - 19.95; - 6.13), worse timed chair rise stand test time (β: 0.91 s, 95% CI 0.36; 1.47), lower maximal grip (β: - 0.83 kg, 95% CI - 1.50; - 0.15) and elbow flexion (β: - 3.64 Nm, 95% CI - 7.11; - 0.16) strength. Additionally, eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 was linked to significantly shorter 6-min walk distance (β: - 6.13 m, 95% CI - 9.44; - 2.82). Urinary albumin excretion > 30 mg/24 h was associated with shorter 6-min walk distance (β: - 12.48 m, 95% CI - 18.28; - 6.68), worse timed chair rise stand test time (β: 0.51 s, 95% CI 0.11; 1.06), lower maximal grip (β: - 1.34 kg, 95% CI - 1.91; - 0.76) and elbow flexion strength (β: - 3.31 Nm, 95% CI - 5.80; - 0.82).

Conclusions: Reduced eGFR and higher albuminuria levels were associated with worse physical performance, especially shorter 6-min walk distance and lower muscle strength. The relationship between eGFR and physical function was non-linear, with also high eGFR values being associated with worse performance, especially in the six-minute walk test.

Keywords: Albuminuria; Glomerular filtration rate; Muscle strength; Physical performance.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Ethical approval: The study was conducted in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration. The study procedures were ethically approved by the institutional medical ethical committee (NL31329.068.10) and the Netherlands Health Council (Permit 131088–105234-PG). Informed consent: All individuals were fully informed about the study procedures and provided written informed consent.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of participant inclusion
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Association of estimated glomerular filtration rate with six-minute walk test distance, gait speed, timed chair rise stand test time and maximal grip strength
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Association of estimated glomerular filtration rate with knee and elbow flexion and extension strength
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ezzatvar Y, Ramírez-Vélez R, Sáez De Asteasu ML, Martínez-Velilla N, Zambom-Ferraresi F, Izquierdo M, García-Hermoso A (2021) Physical function and all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 76:1447–1453. 10.1093/GERONA/GLAA305 - PubMed
    1. Dennison EM, Sayer AA (2017) Cooper C (2017) Epidemiology of sarcopenia and insight into possible therapeutic targets. Nat Rev Rheumatol 136(13):340–347. 10.1038/nrrheum.2017.60 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Demurtas J, Schoene D, Torbahn G, Marengoni A, Grande G, Zou L, Petrovic M, Maggi S, Cesari M, Lamb S, Soysal P, Kemmler W, Sieber C, Mueller C, Shenkin SD, Schwingshackl L, Smith L, Veronese N (2020) Physical activity and exercise in mild cognitive impairment and dementia: an umbrella review of intervention and observational studies. J Am Med Dir Assoc 21:1415-1422.e6. 10.1016/J.JAMDA.2020.08.031 - PubMed
    1. Petermann-Rocha F, Balntzi V, Gray SR, Lara J, Ho FK, Pell JP, Celis-Morales C (2022) Global prevalence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 13:86–99. 10.1002/JCSM.12783 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Fuentes-Abolafio IJ, Stubbs B, Pérez-Belmonte LM, Bernal-López MR, Gómez-Huelgas R, Cuesta-Vargas AI (2020) Physical functional performance and prognosis in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 20:1–23. 10.1186/S12872-020-01725-5/TABLES/2 - PMC - PubMed

Publication types