Abstract
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem. Most patients
with CKD are asymptomatic and unaware of their disease until reaches its latter stages. The
worldwide prevalence of CKD is increasing and delayed diagnosis takes from the patients the
opportunities for early treatment.
Objectives: Our cohort, named AZAR cohort, is a part of a national cohort program and it
is aimed to study the major cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, diabetes, and cancers diseases
risk factors in East-Azerbaijan province in North West of Iran.
Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all eligible subjects (35-65 years) were
recruited. Information about demographic, medical history, some physical and para-clinical
were collected. Here, we report the results of pilot phase of this study.
Results: Findings showed that prevalence of CKD (stage 3, eGFR<60 mL/min) among our
studied population was 8% (71/898). The studied population was ranged from young adult to
pre-elderly (35-65 years). We found a higher proportion of CKD in women (M/F 14/57). The
total proportion of diabetics in our study was 126 persons (14%). Distribution of different
stages of CKD was as follows: stage 3A (67 persons, M/F; 14/53), stage 3B (4 females), stage 2
(737 persons, M/F; 328/409) and stage 1 (88 persons, M/F; 64/24). There were no cases of CKD
stage 4 or 5 in our cohort. Body mass index (BMI), serum triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol
levels had a significant correlation with CKD stage 3 (P<0.05). Diabetic patients and female
gender were at increased risk of CKD stage 3 (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.857-2.861).
Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD stage 3 in our cohort was compatible with other previous
publications. The higher prevalence of CKD in middle aged to early elderly women population
could be explained by the high prevalence of obesity among this population.