Alcohol consumption and the risk for renal hyperfiltration in the general Chinese population.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glomerular hyperfiltration has been considered an early marker of kidney injury in prediabetes and prehypertension. Heavy alcohol consumption remains highly prevalent and is considered a major public health problem worldwide. The degree of glomerular hyperfiltration associated with alcohol consumption remains unclear.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was conducted in three communities in China. A total of 15 390 participants (5396 males and 9994 females) aged 40-65 years were included in the study. Glomerular hyperfiltration was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate >97.5th percentile value of the total population.

RESULTS: Current drinkers had a 1.51 times higher risk for developing renal hyperfiltration (RHF) as compared with never drinkers, adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking status, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, physical activity and the levels of fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, heavy alcohol consumption of >210 g per week was associated with an elevated risk for RHF in a dose-dependent manner among male current drinkers.

CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged Chinese men, heavy alcohol intake was associated with an elevated risk for RHF. On the other hand, former drinkers or light-moderate alcohol intake did not show any increased risks for these conditions.