Worsening Heart Failure Events in Adults with Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease.
Academic Article
Overview
abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF). However, the burden of worsening HF (WHF) events among adults with mild-to-moderate CKD has not been well described. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the burden of WHF in a contemporary cohort of adults with mild-to-moderate CKD. METHODS: We identified adults with mild-to-moderate CKD (eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73m² or eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73m² with albuminuria) within a large, integrated healthcare delivery system from 2012-2021. Outcomes included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and outpatient encounters for WHF, stratified by HF status and level of CKD. RESULTS: Among 375,495 adults with mild-to-moderate CKD, mean age was 64 ±16 years, 54% were women, mean eGFR was 76 ± 26 ml/min/1.73m², and 6.5% had prior known HF. CKD stages G1A2 (31.6%), G2A2 (24.9%), and G3aA1 (25.1%) were most prevalent. Rates (95% CI) per 100 person-years for WHF events were 1.85 (1.83-1.87) for hospitalizations, 0.85 (0.84-0.86) for emergency department visits, and 0.83 (0.81-0.84) for outpatient encounters, resulting in a cumulative rate of 2.42 (2.40-2.44). Event rates were higher at lower eGFR and higher albuminuria levels. CONCLUSIONS: WHF is a common source of morbidity in adults with earlier stage CKD, and particularly high in those with lower eGFR and greater albuminuria. These findings underscore the importance of implementing available and emerging cardioprotective and renoprotective therapies in this high-risk population.
