Elevated Triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL) and High Triglycerides (200–499 mg/dL) Are Significant Predictors of Hospitalization for New-Onset Kidney Disease: A Real-World Analysis of High-Risk Statin-Treated Patients

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia in kidney disease (KD) involves increased levels of triglycerides (TG) and TG-rich lipoproteins, with only minor changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The increasing prevalence of diabetic KD and the shared atherogenic lipid profile between KD and diabetes underscore the importance of understanding dyslipidemia in these patients. Previous studies suggest an association between elevated TG and new-onset KD. Additional data are needed to better define the relationship between hypertriglyceridemia and new-onset KD. Objective: To evaluate the real-world impact of elevated and high TG on risk of KD in high-risk statin-treated patients. Methods: This retrospective administrative claims analysis of the Optum Research Database included statin-treated patients (age ≥45 years) with diabetes and/or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who were followed for ≥6 months. Cohorts included patients with elevated TG (≥150 mg/dL; n = 27,471) or high TG (200–499 mg/dL; subgroup of elevated TG cohort; n = 13,411), and a comparator cohort (TG <150 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol >40 mg/dL; n = 32,506). The probability of hospitalization for new-onset KD was calculated post hoc from multivariate analyses controlled for patient characteristics and comorbidities using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The rate of hospitalization for new-onset KD was 31% higher in the elevated-TG cohort (hazard ratio [HR], 1.311; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.228–1.401; p < 0.001) and 45% higher in the high-TG cohort (HR, 1.451; 95% CI, 1.339–1.572; p < 0.001) compared with the respective comparator cohorts. Conclusions: In a real-world analysis of statin-treated patients with high cardiovascular risk, both elevated TG (≥150 mg/dL) and high TG (200–499 mg/dL) were significant predictors of hospitalization for new-onset KD, identifying hypertriglyceridemia as a potential KD risk factor.