Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health concern associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in populations with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are implicated in CKD pathogenesis, but their association with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remains unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between AGE levels and the eGFR. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Health Workers Cohort Study (2004-2006), which included 1,621 adults. AGE levels were categorized into quartiles, and the eGFR was calculated via the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 equation. Quantile and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between AGEs and the eGFR, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The median AGE level was 334 µU/ml, and the prevalence of low eGFR (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) was 4.7%. Quantile regression analysis revealed a significant reduction in the eGFR, particularly in the 10th percentile. Logistic regression models revealed that a 100 µU/ml increase in AGE level was associated with increased odds of a low eGFR (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09). Participants with very high AGE levels had greater odds of having a low eGFR than those in the lowest category did (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.00-4.88). CONCLUSION: Elevated AGE levels were associated with lower eGFRs and increased odds of low eGFRs. These findings underscore the potential role of AGEs in CKD development and suggest the importance of targeting AGE accumulation for CKD prevention and management in high-risk populations.