Prevalence of chronic renal disease in Spain: results of the EPIRCE study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. The knowledge of prevalence in general population may help to early detection of CKD and prevent or delay its progression.
METHODS: Sociodemographic, baseline characteristics, and CKD prevalence (measured by centralized serum creatinine and MDRD equation) were evaluated in a randomly selected sample of general population aged 20 years or older, collected in all Spanish regions and stratified by habitat, age and sex according to 2001 census (n=2746). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associations with CKD risk factors.
RESULTS: Mean age was 49.5 years. The overall prevalence of Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative grades 3-5 CKD was 6.8%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 5.4 to 8.2 (3.3% for age 40-64 years and 21.4% for age > 64 years). The prevalence estimates of CKD stages were: 0.99% for stage 1 (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] >or=90 ml/min per 1.73 m2 with proteinuria); 1.3% for stage 2 (GFR 60-89); 5.4% for stage 3a (GFR 45-59); 1.1% for stage 3b (GFR 30-44); 0.27% for stage 4 (GFR 15-29); and 0.03% for stage 5 (GFR < 15). An important prevalence of classical cardiovascular risk factors was observed: dyslipemia (29.3%), obesity (26.1%), hypertension (24.1%), diabetes (9.2%) and current smoking (25.5%). The independent predictor factors for CKD were age, obesity and previously diagnosed hypertension.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CKD at any stage in general population from Spain is relatively high, especially in the elderly, and similar to countries of the same geographical area. Independently of age, two modifiable risks factors, hypertension and obesity, are associated with an increased prevalence of CKD.