Effect of low‐protein intake on all‐cause mortality in subjects with an estimated glomerular filtration rate higher than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with or without albuminuria

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 74; no. 7; pp. e13505 - n/a
• Main Authors: Lee, Chia‐Lin, Liu, Wei‐Ju, Wang, Jun‐Sing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Diet; Epidermal growth factor receptors; Glomerular filtration rate; Health risk assessment; Mortality; Proteins; Regression analysis; Risk factors
• ISSN: 1368-5031; 1742-1241; 1742-1241
• DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.13505

Background We aimed to investigate the effect of a low‐protein intake on all‐cause mortality in subjects with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≧60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with or without albuminuria using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods We analysed participants in the NHANES from 2003 to 2010. We excluded participants with an eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 from the analyses. Low‐protein intake was defined as a protein intake of less than 0.8 g/kg/day. The Healthy Eating Index 2010 was used to assess diet quality. The vital status of all participants in the NHANES was determined by linking to the National Death Index through the end of 2011. The hazard ratios (HRs) for the association of low‐protein intake and mortality were determined using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 7730 participants were included in the analyses. After a median follow up of 4.7 years, 462 participants died. A low‐protein intake was associated with a higher risk of mortality (HRs 1.394, 95% CI 1.121‐1.734, P = .004) with adjustment for diet quality and relevant risk factors. The higher risk of mortality associated with a low‐protein intake was consistent in subjects with or without albuminuria (P interaction .280). Conclusion A protein intake of less than 0.8 g/kg/day was associated with a higher risk of mortality in subjects with an eGFR ≧60 mL/min/1.73 m2, irrespective of whether they had albuminuria.