Association between Body Mass Index and Renal Outcomes Modified by Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia: The Obesity Paradox for Renal Outcomes

Obesity-related nephropathy is associated with renal function progression. However, some studies have associated a high body mass index (BMI) with improved renal outcomes-this is referred to as the obesity paradox for renal outcomes, especially in relation to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Central obesity can explain the obesity paradox in all-cause mortality. However, whether obesity or central obesity is associated with renal outcomes (renal replacement therapy or a 50% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate) in patients with advanced CKD remains unclear. Our study included 3605 Asian patients with CKD stages 1-5 divided into six groups according to their BMI (between 15 and 35 kg/m(2)). Through linear regression, BMI was positively associated with hemoglobin and albumin at CKD stages 4 and 5. In the competing risk Cox regression model, a high BMI (27.5-35 kg/m(2)) was associated with renal outcomes at CKD stages 1-3, but not stages 4 and 5. A high BMI was associated with renal outcomes in patients with hemoglobin >= 11 g/dL, but not <11 g/dL. A high waist-to-hip ratio was not associated with renal outcomes. We conclude that the CKD stage and anemia may explain the obesity paradox in renal outcomes in patients with CKD.