Physical Activity Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Entering the LORD Trial

Purpose: To assess physical activity, and associations with health, clinical and biochemical factors, in patients with stages 2-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Cross sectional data were collected from 120 CKD patients enrolled in the Lipid Lowering and Onset of Renal Disease (LORD) trial. Patients with serum creatinine levels >120 ƒÝmol/l were included and those taking lipid lowering medication were amongst those excluded. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess physical activity (Active Australia) and health (SF-36). A cut-off of 600 MET.mins/week was used to determine those meeting national activity guidelines. Clinical and biochemical data included renal function, medications, an index of coexistent disease, lipid levels, dietary intake, liver enzymes and full blood count measures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine associations between physical activity and health, clinical and biochemical data. Results: Fifty percent of patients met activity guidelines, and 9% (n=11) reported no physical activity. Patients who met the guidelines were very active, completing on average over 2400 MET.mins/week, predominantly achieved by walking. The CKD patients had lower SF-36 physical component summary scores compared to a reference population, however none of the SF-36 physical functioning measures were associated with physical activity levels or meeting activity guidelines. Conclusion: Many patients with stages 2-4 CKD are meeting, and exceeding, recommended levels of physical activity indicating that CKD is not necessarily a limitation to activity.