Work

Association between the skeletal muscle-to-visceral fat ratio and kidney stones: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Prior research has suggested links between skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat volume with kidney stone formation. However, the link between the skeletal muscle-to-visceral fat ratio (SVR) and kidney stone risk remains to be clarified. This study aims to explore the relationship between SVR and the risk of kidney stones, analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods The research encompassed 8,522 individuals from NHANES surveys from 2011 to 2018. Kidney stones were diagnosed through a standardized questionnaire, and SVR was calculated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Participants were grouped into quartiles based on their SVR. All data underwent weighting according to official guidelines. Logistic regression models assessed the correlation between SVR and kidney stone incidence, and subgroup analysis was employed to investigate its stability. Results Among the participants, 675 individuals, representing 8.73%, received a diagnosis of kidney stones, with an average age of 39.29 years (±0.28). Findings indicate that lower SVR correlates with increased kidney stone risk. Within the comprehensively adjusted multivariate model, compared to the lowest SVR quartile, the second, third, and fourth quartiles demonstrated significantly reduced risks, with ORs of 0.63 (95% CI = 0.47–0.84), 0.57 (95% CI = 0.42–0.79), and 0.39 (95% CI = 0.25–0.61), respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models demonstrated a non-linear relationship between SVR and kidney stone risk. The subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant differences in weighted associations across subgroups (interaction p-value > 0.05), except for BMI, which had a significant interaction (interaction p-value < 0.05). Conclusion The findings underscore that lower SVR correlates with increased kidney stone risk, a relationship that remains consistent across most demographics.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1549047

Authors: Yuan-Zhuo Du, Jia-Qing Yang, Jian Tang, Chi-Teng Zhang, Yi-Fu Liu

Institutions: Nanchang University, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College, University of South China

Language: English

Topic: Kidney Stones and Urolithiasis Treatments

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801