DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet and Risk of Subsequent Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: There are established guidelines for recommended dietary intake for hypertension treatment and cardiovascular disease prevention. Evidence is lacking for effective dietary patterns for kidney disease prevention.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study participants with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60mL/min/1.73m (N=14,882).

PREDICTOR: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score was calculated based on self-reported dietary intake of red and processed meat, sweetened beverages, sodium, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and low-fat dairy products, averaged over 2 visits.

OUTCOMES: Cases were ascertained based on the development of eGFRs

RESULTS: 3,720 participants developed kidney disease during a median follow-up of 23 years. Participants with a DASH diet score in the lowest tertile were 16% more likely to develop kidney disease than those with the highest score tertile (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07-1.26; P for trend 

LIMITATIONS: Potential measurement error due to self-reported dietary intake and lack of data for albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONS: Consuming a DASH-style diet was associated with lower risk for kidney disease independent of demographic characteristics, established kidney risk factors, and baseline kidney function. Healthful dietary patterns such as the DASH diet may be beneficial for kidney disease prevention.