The unique association between estimated pulse wave velocity and the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2025 Jan 23;25(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s12872-024-04453-2.

Abstract

Objective: Arteriosclerosis plays a significant role as one of the key pathological mechanisms underlying Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD). The estimated Pulse Wave Velocity (ePWV) is used to assess arteriosclerosis, and is considered a potential clinical surrogate for pulse wave velocity. There are no studies on ePWV in relation to DKD. Our research represents the first embark to explore the relationship between ePWV and DKD.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, we collected ePWV data from a cohort of 4,296 hospitalized Chinese patients. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were employed to examine the relationship between eGDR and the prevalence of DKD, UACR ≥ 30 mg/g, and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m².

Results: After adjusting for confounding factors, each unit increase in ePWV was associated with a 23%, 21% and 25% increase in the prevalence of DKD, UACR ≥ 30 mg/g, and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m² in T2DM participants, respectively. A J-shaped relationship was observed between ePWV and the prevalence of DKD and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m², and a linear association between ePWV and the prevalence of UACR ≥ 30 mg/g.

Conclusion: ePWV is independently positively correlated with the prevalence of DKD. Integrating ePWV into routine clinical evaluations enable timely interventions and personalized management approaches.

Keywords: Diabetic kidney disease; Estimated glomerular filtration rate; Estimated pulse wave velocity; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Albuminuria / diagnosis
  • Albuminuria / epidemiology
  • Albuminuria / physiopathology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Pulse Wave Analysis*
  • Risk Factors