Lifestyle factors associated with a rapid decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate over two years in older adults with type 2 diabetes–Evidence from a large national database in Japan

by Yaya Li, Makoto Fujii, Yuko Ohno, Asuka Ikeda, Kayo Godai, Yuko Nakamura, Yuya Akagi, Daisuke Yabe, Kazuyo Tsushita, Naoki Kashihara, Kei Kamide, Mai Kabayama

The present study investigated lifestyle risk factors from metabolic syndrome-related lifestyles for a rapid decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among adults aged 40–74 years with treated and untreated type 2 diabetes.

This study analyzed data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan, encompassing the period from fiscal year (FY) 2017 to FY2020. We established FY2018 as our baseline year. The subjects of this study were adults aged 40–74 in FY2018(baseline) who had type 2 diabetes and underwent specific health checkups in FY2020. We excluded adults with a medical record of kidney dialysis between FY2017 and FY2018, records of suspected type 1 diabetes between FY2017 and FY2020, or a baseline eGFR >85 mL/min/1.73 m² or missing eGFR data as of FY2020. Eventually we analyzed 573,860 individuals. The outcome variable was a rapid decline in eGFR (≥30%) during the follow-up. Exposure lifestyle factors included skipping breakfast, late-night dinners, regular smoking, a high alcohol intake, non-refreshing sleep, and a lack of habitual exercise. Logistic regression models were stratified by age (40–59 and 60–74 years) and baseline eGFR levels (60–85, 30–59, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m²). Covariates included sex, a history of heart disease, a history of stroke, a history of renal failure, anemia, low-density lipoprotein, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C, body mass index, antidiabetic medications, antihypertension drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, the oral adsorbent Kremezin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and drugs for the treatment of renal anemia. A rapid decline in eGFR was detected in approximately 1.3% of participants (7,683 cases). In the baseline eGFR >30 subgroups (60–85 or 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m²), skipping breakfast and regular smoking were associated with a rapid decline in eGFR in both age groups, while a lack of habitual exercise and late-night dinners in the 60–74 age group and non-refreshing sleep in the 40–59 age group were identified as risk factors. Additionally, skipping breakfast was a risk factor for a rapid decline in eGFR in the 60–74 age group regardless of baseline eGFR levels. In the baseline eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² subgroup, skipping breakfast and non-refreshed sleep were risk factors for a rapid decline in eGFR.

We found specific lifestyle risk factors were associated with a rapid eGFR decline among people with type 2 diabetes from a nationwide database in Japan. The associations varied by baseline eGFR level, age, and sex. Lifestyle modifications may effectively prevent the aggravation of diabetic kidney disease.