Strategies for Proactive Health in People With Kidney Function Decline

Kidney function often declines gradually with age or chronic conditions, even before chronic kidney disease is formally diagnosed. This decline can disturb the body's overall balance, leading to changes in heart and blood vessel health, bone metabolism, muscle strength, and cognitive performance. Nutrition and metabolism play central roles in these processes, but how they interact during kidney function decline remains unclear. This prospective cohort study, conducted at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, aims to understand the multisystem changes that occur during kidney function decline and to explore how individualized, nutrition-integrated management can help maintain health and slow disease progression. Approximately 1,800 adults with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 90 mL/min/1.73 m² and not receiving dialysis will be enrolled and followed for up to ten years. Comprehensive information on participants' diet, biochemical markers, heart and bone health, cognition, and physical function will be collected through hospital systems and a mobile nutrition management app. The study seeks to identify how nutritional status and metabolic adaptation relate to outcomes such as kidney function decline, cardiovascular disease, frailty, and cognitive impairment. Findings from this research will help develop an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to prevent complications and improve the overall health and quality of life of people with reduced kidney function.