The epidemiological association of altitude with chronic kidney disease: Evidence of protective effect.

Aims: We sought to determine the association between living at high altitudes and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and also to determine the prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at various altitudes.

Methods: In the first part of the study, we used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III to examine the association between altitude of residence and eGFR. In the second part, we used the United States Renal Data System to study the association between altitude and prevalence of ESRD.