The association between skinfold thicknesses and estimated glomerular filtration rate in adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Association between visceral adipose tissue and glomerular hyperfiltration in adolescents: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Glomerular hyperfiltration is an early indicator of obesity-related glomerular disease. However, in adolescents, there are no quantifiable indicators of obesity and glomerular hyperfiltration. This study investigates the association between visceral adipose tissue and glomerular hyperfiltration in adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2011-2018), and adolescents aged 12-17 years were included. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) formed the independent variables while estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) acted as the dependent variable. Their association was assessed using unadjusted and multivariate regression analyses, as well as subgroup and interaction analyses.

RESULTS

Multivariate regression analysis revealed that VAT was positively associated with eGFR and glomerular hyperfiltration among adolescents. The incidence of glomerular hyperfiltration increased by 99 % in boys and 56 % in girls per 100 g of VAT increase. Additionally, VAT and eGFR exhibited a linear relationship in both boys (β = 5.63, p < 0.001) and girls (β = 2.72, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In US adolescents aged 12-17 years, VAT was positively correlated with eGFR and glomerular hyperfiltration.

Transferrin levels are associated with malnutrition markers in hemodialysis patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

INTRODUCTION

Malnutrition is a global phenomenon and may be contributing to the increasing size of the hemodialysis (HD) population in South Africa and is affecting morbidity and clinical outcomes. Our study assessed whether transferrin could be a possible marker for malnutrition in the HD population.

METHODS

Clinical parameters (including skinfold thickness and mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC]) and laboratory markers (including transferrin and hemoglobin) were measured during a six-month period in a sample of 59 HD patients.

RESULTS

Linear regression analysis showed that MUAC (p = 0.027) as well as skinfold thickness (p = 0.021) had a significant association with transferrin levels within the HD participants. There was no significant association between transferrin levels or MUAC with hemoglobin levels (p = 0.075). Furthermore, the study found that decreased transferrin levels (< 2.15 g/dL to 3.80 g/dL) were closely related to malnutrition in the malnutrition distribution groups within the study, with 97.7% of HD participants being classified in one of the malnutrition groups.

CONCLUSION

Thus, transferrin levels are a valuable marker for malnutrition within the HD patient population and can be included along with clinical assessment parameters such as MUAC and skinfold thickness as primary indicators for malnutrition.