Huge variations in body mass index (BMI) over time, or weight cycling, were found to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), stated a new observational study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Overall, 84,636 predialysis patients with CKD were followed for a median of 4 years. The risk for all-cause mortality was increased in patients in the highest quartile of BMI variability compared to those in the lowest quartile (HR 1.66), reported researchers. Weight cycling was associated with a greater risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as myocardial infarction (HR 1.19) and stroke (HR 1.19). Additionally, patients in the highest quartile of BMI variability exhibited a significantly higher risk for requiring kidney replacement therapy compared to those in the lowest quartile (HR 1.20)… (Medpage Today)