Exercise in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease: A randomized controlled trial

Hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are global public health problems, both associated with higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) and renal events. This trial randomized non-diabetic adult patients with hypertension and CKD stages 2-4 to 16 weeks of aerobic and resistance training or usual care. The primary outcome was the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes included changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), body weight, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and functional capacity. The analysis was performed by intention-to-treat, using linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures over time. A hundred fifty patients were included in the intervention (76) or control (74) groups. No difference was found in eGFR, BP, body weight, or lipid profile changes between the groups. However, there were significant decreases in hs-CRP [-6.7(-11.7 to -1.8) mg/L] and fasting blood glucose [-11.3(-20.0 to -1.8) mg/dL], and an increase in functional capacity [2′ Step Test 33.9 (17.7-50.0); 30″ Stand Test 2.3 (0.9-3.7)] in exercise group compared with control group. The results of this RCT show that combined aerobic and resistance training could reduce inflammation and insulin resistance in hypertensive patients with earlier stages of CKD, without a significant effect on kidney disease progression. Clinical trials.gov NCT01155128.