Correlation between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community Study

Objective Chronic kidney disease (CKD) might be a potential independent risk factor for increased carotid intima–media thickness (IMT). Our aim is to determine whether mild to moderate kidney dysfunction is associated with increased carotid IMT. Methods We employed 3629 subjects free from clinical cardiovascular diseases at the baseline visit of the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community Study. Kidney function was evaluated in terms of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration China equation. The mean of the maximal internal and common carotid IMT was measured by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Univariable linear regressions and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate the independent association between kidney function and carotid IMT. Results In the unadjusted linear analysis, carotid IMT showed a significant negative correlation with eGFR in both male ( r  = −.346, P r  = −.253, P 2 and 1.789 (95% CI, 1.203-2.660) in the group with an eGFR of 30-59 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . Conclusions Increased IMT is associated with early-stage CKD. This association is independent of traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors. Early detection of kidney dysfunction is important to improve risk stratification of atherosclerotic disease.