Bidirectional association between chronic liver disease and chronic kidney disease: a longitudinal study based on CHARLS 2011-2020 data.

Introduction and objectives: Chronic liver disease (CLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major public health concerns with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional association between CLD and CKD.

Patients and methods: We conducted two longitudinal studies using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) between 2011 and 2020. Participants without baseline CKD were analyzed for the risk of CKD associated with CLD, and participants without baseline CLD were assessed for the risk of CLD associated with CKD. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: Of 3651 participants without baseline CKD, 575 developed CKD over a median follow-up of 9 years. The incidence of CKD was significantly higher in those with baseline CLD (37.25 vs. 18.08 per 1000 population). Baseline CLD was independently associated with an elevated risk of incident CKD (adjusted HR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.37-2.72; P < 0.001). Conversely, of 5530 participants without baseline CLD, 474 developed CLD. Participants with CKD had a significantly higher incidence of CLD (13.56 vs. 8.89 per 1000 population). Baseline CKD was independently associated with an increased risk of incident CLD (adjusted HR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.31-2.16; P < 0.001). The bidirectional associations remained robust in sensitivity analyses, and the association persisted across different subgroups.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a bidirectional relationship between CLD and CKD. These findings highlight the importance of integrated management strategies targeting both liver and kidney health.