Poor lung function has inverse relationship with microalbuminuria, an early surrogate marker of kidney damage and atherosclerosis: the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
BACKGROUND
Despite epidemiological evidences of relationship between poor lung function and atherosclerosis, the relationship between poor lung function and microalbuminuria (MAU), an early surrogate marker of both kidney damage and atherosclerosis, is not well understood. Hence, we plan to investigate the relationship between poor lung function and MAU using multivariate models to adjust for other atherogenic risk factors.


METHODS
We used data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Poor lung function is determined by spirometric measurement, primarily through estimation of the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Declines in the percent predicted FVC (<80%) and in the FEV1/FVC ratio (<0.7) are defined as restrictive and obstructive patterns, respectively. Urine albumin to urine creatinine levels ratio (UACR) were measured in spot urine samples. MAU was defined as UACR >30 mg/g.


RESULTS
Inverse relationship was observed between lung function and UACR. In an age-adjusted regression model, the regression coefficient (B) of 10% lower FVC was 11.09 in men (P = 0.002), which remained significant after adjustment for SBP, FBG, triglyceride level, BMI, smoking history, and heavy alcohol consumption (B = 7.52, P = 0.043). When the restrictive pattern was compared to the normal pattern, the odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval, 95%CI) for MAU were 1.90 (1.32-2.72) in men, after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, triglyceride level, obesity, smoking history, physical activity, and heavy alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study, the first investigation in Asia, demonstrated that the restrictive pattern is related to MAU in men. Furthermore, there was linear relationship between lower FVC and UACR. Thus, our current study suggests that poor lung function, particularly the restrictive pattern, is related to kidney damage as well as atherosclerosis.
The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jin-Ha
JH
Yoon
The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jong-Uk
JU
Won
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
Yeon-Soon
YS
Ahn
The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jaehoon
J
Roh
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
D015415:Biomarkers; D003404:Creatinine