Background: The risk factors for stroke in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. This study aimed to explore the influence of systolic blood pressure (SBP) on the risk of stroke in a large cohort of elderly patients with stage 3-5 CKD.
Methods: We retrospectively identified 665 patients hospitalized in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2000 to December 2021. Patients were followed up until the occurrence of stroke or death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the risk factors for stroke according to the presence or absence of CKD. The association between CKD and stroke was further evaluated regarding the role of SBP in the hypertensive population.
Results: In individuals with CKD, a J-shaped relationship was observed between SBP levels and the risk of stroke. Participants with CKD and an SBP less than 125 mmHg had a significantly higher cumulative stroke survival rate than those whose SBP was between 125 and 139 mmHg. The cumulative stroke survival rate increased progressively for those with SBP higher than 140 mmHg. This J-shaped relationship was not found in patients without CKD.
Conclusion: In elderly patients with CKD, those with the lowest BP are at increased risk for incident stroke. This phenomenon could be different from that in the general population.
Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; J-curve; blood pressure; elderly population; stroke.