News | Infertile Men More Likely to Have Kidney Dysfunction
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that infertile men are more likely to have kidney dysfunction. The study analyzed 11,602 participants, including 5,494 childless men and 6,108 fathers. Childless men were more likely to have a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 ml/min/1.73m²) and proteinuria, independent of age, socioeconomic status, and traditional kidney risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic function.
This study adds to growing evidence that male fertility is associated with the risk or pathophysiology of several noncommunicable chronic diseases. The findings suggest that men with reduced fertility may benefit from routine kidney function assessment.
Nonreproductive effects of male infertility
Infertility has long been viewed in cultures around the world as a bad omen, curse, or divine punishment. However, recent research suggests that the risks associated with male infertility may extend well beyond reproduction. Previous studies have found that infertile men are more likely to develop ischemic disease and diabetes.
Male childlessness, a commonly used proxy for male infertility, is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. These men are also more likely to take medication for metabolic syndrome and hypertension. However, few studies have extended this research to kidney assessment. This study sought to build on the work of Eisenberg et al., the only previous study to explore the relationship between male infertility and kidney disease.
Methods
This study assessed whether male childlessness, used as a proxy for infertility or subfertility, was associated with kidney dysfunction (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) or proteinuria. The study sample came from the Malmö Preventive Project (MPP), a long-term, longitudinal, population-based cohort established in the 1970s. Detailed creatinine levels and urine protein test results provided the data needed to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and assess proteinuria. MPP also recorded participants' paternity status, meeting another requirement of the study.
Results and conclusions
"In this population-based study, we found that childless men were more likely than fathers to show signs of kidney dysfunction, including reduced eGFR and proteinuria. The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for comorbidities and characteristics known to be associated with kidney dysfunction."
Of the 22,444 participants initially identified in the MPP cohort, 11,602 remained after individuals with incomplete data or over age 45 were excluded. Of these, 47.3% (5,494) were childless men. eGFR assessment showed that childless men were more likely than fathers to have eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m² (3.1% vs. 2.3%). Proteinuria results were consistent with this finding (7.1% in childless men vs. 4.9% in fathers). The associations were significant in all but one model, including logistic regression models.
These findings highlight a higher risk of kidney disease among childless men with infertility or subfertility and suggest that this population should be targeted for kidney function monitoring, potentially providing clinicians with a new tool for addressing kidney disease in the future.
News | Infertile Men More Likely to Have Kidney Dysfunction
News | Infertile Men More Likely to Have Kidney Dysfunction
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that infertile men are more likely to have kidney dysfunction. The study analyzed 11,602 participants, including 5,494 childless men and 6,108 fathers. Childless men were more likely to have a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 ml/min/1.73m²) and proteinuria, independent of age, socioeconomic status, and traditional kidney risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic function.
This study adds to growing evidence that male fertility is associated with the risk or pathophysiology of several noncommunicable chronic diseases. The findings suggest that men with reduced fertility may benefit from routine kidney function assessment.
Nonreproductive effects of male infertility
Infertility has long been viewed in cultures around the world as a bad omen, curse, or divine punishment. However, recent research suggests that the risks associated with male infertility may extend well beyond reproduction. Previous studies have found that infertile men are more likely to develop ischemic disease and diabetes.
Male childlessness, a commonly used proxy for male infertility, is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. These men are also more likely to take medication for metabolic syndrome and hypertension. However, few studies have extended this research to kidney assessment. This study sought to build on the work of Eisenberg et al., the only previous study to explore the relationship between male infertility and kidney disease.
Methods
This study assessed whether male childlessness, used as a proxy for infertility or subfertility, was associated with kidney dysfunction (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) or proteinuria. The study sample came from the Malmö Preventive Project (MPP), a long-term, longitudinal, population-based cohort established in the 1970s. Detailed creatinine levels and urine protein test results provided the data needed to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and assess proteinuria. MPP also recorded participants' paternity status, meeting another requirement of the study.
Results and conclusions
"In this population-based study, we found that childless men were more likely than fathers to show signs of kidney dysfunction, including reduced eGFR and proteinuria. The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for comorbidities and characteristics known to be associated with kidney dysfunction."
Of the 22,444 participants initially identified in the MPP cohort, 11,602 remained after individuals with incomplete data or over age 45 were excluded. Of these, 47.3% (5,494) were childless men. eGFR assessment showed that childless men were more likely than fathers to have eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m² (3.1% vs. 2.3%). Proteinuria results were consistent with this finding (7.1% in childless men vs. 4.9% in fathers). The associations were significant in all but one model, including logistic regression models.
These findings highlight a higher risk of kidney disease among childless men with infertility or subfertility and suggest that this population should be targeted for kidney function monitoring, potentially providing clinicians with a new tool for addressing kidney disease in the future.
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