Risks of Hip and Nonvertebral Fractures in Patients With CKD G3a-G5D: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Rationale & Objective: Disordered mineral metabolism complicates chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the effect of reduced kidney function on fracture risk has not been fully established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risks for hip and nonvertebral fractures in people with CKD. We also investigated the effects of age, sex, and CKD stage.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Population: Adults with CKD glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories 3a-5D (G3a-G5D) compared with adults without CKD G3a-G5D.

Selection Criteria For Studies: Observational studies.

Data Extraction: Data extraction was conducted by 1 reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.

Analytical Approach: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched in March 2018 and an update was conducted in November 2019. We used random-effects models to calculate pooled risk estimates and 95% CIs.

Results: 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. We included 13 studies in the hip fracture systematic review and 10 studies in the meta-analysis. Studies reported data from 250,440,035 participants; 5,798,566 with CKD G3a-G5D and 363,410 with hip fractures. 4 studies were included in the nonvertebral fracture analysis, reporting data from 1,396,976 participants; 464,978 with CKD G3a-G5D and 115,284 fractures. Studies reported data from participants aged 18 to older than 90 years. We found a significant increase in fracture risk both for hip (relative risk [RR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.64-3.39) and nonvertebral fractures (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.15-1.88). For hip fractures, younger patients (<65 years) had higher relative risk (RR, 7.66; 95% CI, 2.76-21.26) than older patients (>65 years; RR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.41-3.16). Greater GFR loss was associated with higher relative risk for fractures.

Limitations: We could not assess the effects of bone mineral density, biochemical abnormalities, renal osteodystrophy, frailty, falls, or medications on risk for fractures.

Conclusions: Risks for hip and nonvertebral fractures are increased in CKD G3a-G5D. The relative risk of hip fracture is greater in the younger than the older population and increases progressively with loss of GFR. We suggest that fracture prevention should be a consideration in CKD at any age.