Markers of Kidney Tubule Function and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events and Mortality

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Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were followed for a median of 3.8 years to evaluate the association between three markers of urine tubular function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. There was a positive association between both alpha-1 microglobulin (α1m) and beta-2 microglobulin (β2m) and the composite CVD endpoint and mortality. There was an inverse association between uromodulin and outcomes. A twofold higher baseline concentration of α1m was associated with a significantly increased risk of CVD outcomes and mortality, but this association was not seen for β2m. A twofold higher uromodulin concentration was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CVD outcomes but not mortality.

Among patients with CKD, biomarkers of tubular function may be useful to assess the risk of CVD events and mortality.