Association of plant-based diet and chronic kidney disease in Iranian Kurdish population: The RaNCD Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Plant-based diet has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this hypothesis is raised that following a plant-based diet may improve the functioning of the kidneys. The aim of study was to determine the association between plant-based diet index (PDI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using data from Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study on 9,746 participants aged 35-65 years, in western Iran. CKD was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. The PDI was calculated based on food intake using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and The food items were distributed into 18 food groups. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate odds ratio (ORs).Results: 1,058 (10.86%) of participants had CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2), and the mean of PDI was 54.22± 6.68. The mean of eGFR in the group with high PDI score was significantly higher than the group with low PDI score (forth quartile: 79.20± 0.36 vs. first quartile: 72.95± 0.31, P<0.001). Adherence to a plant-based diet was more prevalent in the higher socioeconomic status (P<0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of CKD in the third and fourth quartile of PDI was 25% (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62- 0.91) and 39% (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.48- 0.78, P trend<0.001) lower than the first quartile, respectively.Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that having a plant-based diet may be preventing the development of CDK. However, further studies are recommended.