Miss Hannah Tayla Belikoff1, Dr RAMYA WALSAN2, Associate Professor CARA M. HILDRETH1, Professor JACQUELINE K. PHILLIPS1
1Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University , Macquarie Park, Australia, 2Australian Institution of Health Innovation, Macquarie University , Macquarie Park, Australia
Biography:
Hannah is a research student with a Master’s degree in the field of medical science. Her current research focuses on sex-specific differences in chronic kidney disease, specifically exploring the complex interplay between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, and the shared risk factors between the two conditions. Hannah’s research aims to contribute to the growing evidence of sex-related differences in kidney disease, as recognising these differences is essential for optimising patient care and treatment outcomes.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate whether cardiovascular risk factors have differential effects on cardiovascular mortality in females versus males with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Background:
Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in CKD is partially attributed to shared risk factors between CKD and cardiovascular disease. However, the sex-specific effects of these risk factors are often overlooked.
Methods:
We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular mortality among females and males with CKD. Data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007-2018 and linked with mortality data from the National Death Index. CKD was defined by albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m². Of 30,804 participants, 2,898 females and 2,630 males had CKD.
Results:
For individuals with CKD, cardiovascular mortality occurred in 6.1% of females and 8.9% of males (p < 0.05). Males had a higher prevalence of diabetes (35.8% vs 27.3%), and hypertension (72.3% vs 70.4%) compared to females (p < 0.05). Notably, among females, but not males, hypertension (OR 2.18) and diabetes (OR 1.67) were each independently associated with increased odds of cardiovascular mortality. Low haemoglobin (female OR: 2.17; male OR: 2.28) and low haematocrit (female OR: 1.77; male OR: 2.01) were associated with increased odds of cardiovascular mortality in both sexes.
Conclusions:
In this United States based population, the influence of risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in CKD differed by sex. Anaemia had a strong impact in both sexes, while hypertension and diabetes increased the odds of cardiovascular mortality in females only. These findings highlight the importance of sex-specific assessment and management for individuals with CKD.
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