Early kidney disease tied to frailty in elderly

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

NEW YORK, Jan 8 (Reuters) Even mild kidney disease is associated with poorer physical function in elderly people, a new study shows.

While the mechanism behind this relationship remains unclear, the findings suggest that kidney problems may have a direct effect on muscle strength, Dr. Michael Shlipak of the San Francisco VA Medical Center and colleagues report.

Severe kidney disease is known to reduce muscle strength and exercise capacity, but less is known about how earlier-stage disease may affect fitness, notes Shlipak's team in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

To assess kidney function, the researchers measured levels of a protein, cystatin C, in the blood. The protein is a byproduct of cell metabolism and is normally removed by the kidneys, so higher levels indicate the kidneys are not working as well as they should.

The team correlated cystatin C levels in 3,043 elderly men and women with their performance on a number of tests of physical function, and found performance steadily worsened as levels of the protein rose.

Even mild decreases in kidney function were tied to a lower likelihood of completing a 400 meter walk; a slower time to complete the walk; a lower score on a series of tests of leg strength and balance; weaker hand grip; and weaker leg extensions.

Shlipak and colleagues found that the strength of participants' quadriceps muscles had a strong effect on their fitness level, raising the possibility that kidney malfunction directly affects muscle strength.

''These findings suggest that physical function is reduced among patients in the early stages of chronic kidney disease,'' the researchers conclude. ''This loss of function may lead to reduced quality of life or subsequent development of mobility limitations or disability.'' REUTERS PDM VC0840

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