Hossein Mardanparvar
1 
, Hediyeh Mesbahi
2 , Sara Rasta
3 , Rasoul Jafari Arismani
4 , Sara Ghaseminejad Kermani
3 , Leila Jampour
5 , Alireza Amanollahi
6 , Farzaneh Barkhordari Ahmadi
7 , Nahid Moradi
8 , Mahin Roozitalab
9*1 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of Emergency Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Urologic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
5 Department of Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
6 Trauma and Injury Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
7 Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
8 School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
9 Department of Operation Room, School of Paramedical, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The study is motivated by the growing concern surrounding chronic kidney disease worldwide and the need for early identification and effective management to slow or prevent kidney disease progression. To achieve this goal, we evaluated the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with IgA nephropathy through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods: The data were acquired after conducting a comprehensive exploration of the international databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and the Google Scholar search engine until June 2024. The study heterogeneity was evaluated utilizing the I2 index. The data were scrutinized employing STATA 14, and a P value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Seven studies with a sample size of 1354 normal BMI people and 1020 obese or overweight patients were included in this meta-analysis. Based on the findings of the weighted mean difference (WMD), individuals who are overweight or obese had a lower eGFR (WMD = -7.34 [CI; -9.62, -5.05], P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the eGFR was significantly lower in obese or overweight people compared to individuals with normal BMI; therefore, we conclude that being overweight or obese may hurt kidney function.
Registration: This study has been compiled based on the PRISMA checklist, and its protocol was registered on the PROSPERO (CRD42023417633) and Research Registry (UIN: reviewregistry1665) websites.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
In a meta-analysis, we found that the eGFR was lower in obese or overweight people compared to individuals with normal BMI. This finding that individuals with IgA nephropathy who are overweight or obese have significantly lower eGFRs compared to those with a normal BMI suggests that excess body weight may have detrimental effects on kidney function in this patient population. This implication is crucial, as it highlights the importance of monitoring BMI in patients with IgA nephropathy and supports the need for targeted interventions aimed at maintaining a healthy BMI, such as weight management strategies.
Please cite this paper as: Mardanparvar H, Mesbahi H, Rasta S, Jafari Arismani R, Ghaseminejad Kermani S, Jampour L, Amanollahi A, Barkhordari Ahmadi F, Moradi N, Roozitalab M. The effect of body mass index on estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with IgA nephropathy; a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cohort studies. J Nephropharmacol. 2025;14(1):e12712. DOI: 10.34172/npj.2025.12712.