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01-10-2013 | Ultrasound

Heritability, determinants and reference values of renal length: a family-based population study

Authors: Menno Pruijm, Belen Ponte, Daniel Ackermann, Philippe Vuistiner, Fred Paccaud, Idris Guessous, Georg Ehret, Ute Eisenberger, Markus Mohaupt, Michel Burnier, Pierre-Yves Martin, Murielle Bochud

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 10/2013

Abstract

Objectives

In this population-based study, reference values were generated for renal length, and the heritability and factors associated with kidney length were assessed.

Methods

Anthropometric parameters and renal ultrasound measurements were assessed in randomly selected nuclear families of European ancestry (Switzerland). The adjusted narrow sense heritability of kidney size parameters was estimated by maximum likelihood assuming multivariate normality after power transformation. Gender-specific reference centiles were generated for renal length according to body height in the subset of non-diabetic non-obese participants with normal renal function.

Results

We included 374 men and 419 women (mean ± SD, age 47 ± 18 and 48 ± 17 years, BMI 26.2 ± 4 and 24.5 ± 5 kg/m², respectively) from 205 families. Renal length was 11.4 ± 0.8 cm in men and 10.7 ± 0.8 cm in women; there was no difference between right and left renal length. Body height, weight and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were positively associated with renal length, kidney function negatively, age quadratically, whereas gender and hypertension were not. The adjusted heritability estimates of renal length and volume were 47.3 ± 8.5 % and 45.5 ± 8.8 %, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The significant heritability of renal length and volume highlights the familial aggregation of this trait, independently of age and body size. Population-based references for renal length provide a useful guide for clinicians.

Key Points

• Renal length and volume are heritable traits, independent of age and size.

• Based on a European population, gender-specific reference values/percentiles are provided for renal length.

• Renal length correlates positively with body length and weight.

• There was no difference between right and left renal lengths in this study.

• This negates general teaching that the left kidney is larger and longer.

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Title: Heritability, determinants and reference values of renal length: a family-based population study
Authors: Menno Pruijm
Belen Ponte
Daniel Ackermann
Philippe Vuistiner
Fred Paccaud
Idris Guessous
Georg Ehret
Ute Eisenberger
Markus Mohaupt
Michel Burnier
Pierre-Yves Martin
Murielle Bochud
Publication date: 01-10-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-2900-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Heritability, determinants and reference values of renal length: a family-based population study

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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