MO074RENAL FUNCTION DECLINE IN OLDER MEN AND WOMEN WITH ADVANCED CKD - RESULTS FROM THE EQUAL STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Understanding the mechanisms underlying the differences in renal decline between men and women may improve sex-specific clinical monitoring and management. To this end, we aimed to compare the slope of renal function decline in older men and women in CKD 4-5, taking into account informative censoring related to the sex-specific risks of mortality and dialysis initiation. Method The EQUAL study is an observational prospective cohort study in stage 4-5 CKD patients ≥65 years not on dialysis. Data on clinical and demographic patient characteristics were collected between April 2012 to December 2018. eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI equation. Linear mixed models were used to model the eGFR trajectory by sex, and joint models were applied to deal with informative censoring. Results We included 7801 eGFR measurements in 1682 patients over 2911 years of follow-up. Renal function declined 14.0% (95% CI 12.9%-15.1%) on average each year. Renal function declined faster in men (16.2% per year, 95% CI 15.9%-17.1%) compared with women (9.6% per year, 95% CI 6.3%-12.1%), which remained largely unchanged after accounting for various mediators, and for informative censoring due to mortality and dialysis initiation. We identified effect modification by diabetes, with faster declines in renal function found especially in women with diabetes. Conclusion In conclusion, renal function declines faster in men compared with women, which remained similar after adjustment for mediators, and despite a higher risk of informative censoring in men. We demonstrate a disproportional negative impact of diabetes specifically in women.