Assessment of Renal Diseases Associated with Obesity in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: The global obesity epidemic is a major independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) via hemodynamic, metabolic, and inflammatory pathways. However, data on its specific renal manifestations within Bangladeshi tertiary care populations remains scarce, highlighting a critical need for localized clinical assessment. The objectives of this study were to assess the spectrum and frequency of renal diseases associated with obesity among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Eastern Medical College and Hospital, Cumilla, from July 2023 to June 2024. A purposive sample of 53 adult obese patients (BMI≥30 kg/m²) was enrolled. Participants underwent detailed clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations, including serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), and ultrasonography. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The study of 53 obese patients revealed a high burden of renal disease: 43.4% had reduced eGFR and 58.5% had albuminuria. Obesity-related glomerulopathy was the most common diagnosis (26.4%). A significant association was found between higher BMI class and increased albuminuria prevalence (p=0.007). Participants with both hypertension and diabetes had a significantly higher rate of reduced eGFR (p=0.032). Conclusion: This study confirms the high prevalence of renal dysfunction in obese individuals, strongly linked to BMI severity and comorbidities. Obesity must be recognized as a major renal risk factor, necessitating routine renal screening and targeted public health interventions for weight management. Eastern Med Coll J. 2026; 11 (1): 26-30