Kidney function and anemia as risk factors for coronary heart disease and mortality: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney failure causes anemia and is associated with a very high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Mildly to moderately decreased kidney function is far more common and also is associated with an elevated prevalence of anemia and CHD risk. Recent data suggest an even higher risk of CHD when both conditions are present.

METHODS: We investigated the association of kidney dysfunction and anemia with CHD events (fatal or nonfatal CHD or coronary revascularization procedures) and CHD and all-cause mortality over 12 years of follow-up in 14971 adults aged 45 to 64 years in the ARIC Study. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated from calibrated serum creatinine using the MDRD Study equation (

RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was progressively higher at lower estimated GFR or = 90 mL/min per 1.73 m2) were 1.7 (95% CI 1.3-2.2) in the absence of anemia and 3.5 (95% CI 2.4-5.1) in the presence of anemia (P interaction = .001).

CONCLUSIONS: The combination of moderately decreased kidney function and anemia is associated with an increased risk of CHD events and mortality, emphasizing the need to identify individuals with these conditions and evaluate interventions to treat anemia and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.