title: Lack of association between hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can have a negative impact on the natural history of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) infection; patients with HCV and CKD often have adverse outcomes. We evaluated a large and geographically diverse group of patients to determine whether HCV status has an independent effect on the risk of developing CKD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cohort study of 167,569 patients included in a national health care claims database from January 1, 2003-December 31, 2006, with a mean follow-up of 25.3 months. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to measure the independent effect of HCV status on the baseline prevalence of and progression to CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate, <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline prevalence of CKD was similar in patients with versus those without HCV (5.3% vs 5.1%, P = .3). Similarly, among patients with preserved renal function at baseline (n = 82,629), there was no difference in the overall progression to CKD in patients with versus those without HCV (3.8% vs 3.5%, P = .1). HCV status was not associated with progression to CKD, even after adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, and use of relevant medications (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no association between HCV and risk of development of CKD. These data are relevant in counseling HCV patients regarding the impact of HCV on renal function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Sumeet K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Asrani
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinsky
authors.forename: Lisa Rocca
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schnitzler
authors.forename: Fasiha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kanwal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult