In a nutshell
The authors examined the prevalence of kidney (renal) damage and impaired renal function in patients post-stroke. They concluded that following stroke patients have a higher incidence of renal damage, especially elderly women, patients with a physical disability and patients with diabetes.
Some background
Impaired kidney, or renal, function (IRF) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, the presence of IRF is an indicator of poor prognosis (likely course of a medical condition) for stroke patients. The exact prevalence of IRF in stroke patients remains unknown. It is also unknown whether a certain subgroup of stroke patients experience IRF more commonly.
Methods & findings
The authors aimed to determine the prevalence of IRF in post-stroke patients.
The trial consisted of 306 patients with an average of 4 months of follow-up. Renal function was measured by the estimated glomerular filtration test (eGFR) and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio test. These tests measure substances in the blood and the urine which directly relate to kidney function.
Overall, IRF was found in 40.38% of post-stroke patients. IRF was significantly more common in women (55.32%) than men (23.07%).
Risk factors for IRF included age and gender (it was more common in elderly women), diabetes, physical disabilities, atherosclerosis (hardened blood vessels and arteries), and lacunar stroke (blockage in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain's deep structures).
The bottom line
The authors concluded that post-stroke patients have a higher incidence of renal damage, especially elderly women, patients with a physical disability and patients with diabetes. They recommend that patients with these attributes have regular screening for chronic kidney disease.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Aug 30, 2016
