Estimated pulse wave velocity and dipstick proteinuria in young adults with MASLD: a cross-sectional health-check analysis

IntroductionThe estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is a non—invasive surrogate measure of arterial stiffness that has been associated with cardiovascular risk and renal abnormalities. However, studies exploring the association between ePWV and dipstick proteinuria in patients with metabolic dysfunction—associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—a condition associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD)—are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between ePWV and dipstick proteinuria in patients with MASLD.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1,641 MASLD patients from a cohort of individuals who underwent health check-ups at a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. ePWV was calculated using an established equation based on age and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Participants were stratified based on ePWV tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between ePWV and dipstick proteinuria, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, BMI, and comorbid conditions. Subgroup analyses were performed according to sex, diabetes, hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, H. pylori infection, and urolithiasis.ResultsUnadjusted and adjusted models consistently showed that higher ePWV was associated with higher odds of dipstick proteinuria. In the highest ePWV tertile, the odds of dipstick proteinuria were higher compared to the lowest tertile (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.20-5.67, P for trend = 0.002). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction by dyslipidemia status, with a stronger association observed among participants without dyslipidemia (OR: 4.59, 95% CI: 2.18-9.76, P = 0.001), while no statistically significant interactions were detected for sex, hyperuricemia, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, or urolithiasis.DiscussionHigher ePWV was associated with an increased likelihood of dipstick proteinuria among patients with MASLD. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether ePWV is associated with subsequent urinary protein abnormalities and kidney outcomes.