Multiple and Large Simple Renal Cysts Are Associated with Glomerular Filtration Rate Decline: a Cross-Sectional Study of Chinese Population

Background Although simple renal cyst (SRC) is a kind of structural alterations of kidney with age, the relationship between SRC and renal function is still obscure. We investigated the relationship between SRC and renal function in Chinese population. Methods The medical records of 41,842 individuals who underwent physical examinations at the Health Check-up Center at our institution in 2018 were reviewed. According to whether with SRC, they were divided into no-SRC and SRC groups. SRCs were classified into subgroups based on number (< 2 vs. ≥ 2) and size (< 2 cm vs. ≥ 2 cm). Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between SRC and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for eGFR slight decline in subjects with SRC was 1.26(95% confidence interval (95% CI):1.17–1.35, p < 0.001), and the OR for eGFR severe decline was 1.35(95% CI: 1.16–1.56, p < 0.001) compared with no-SRC. The adjusted OR of SRC number ≥ 2 and ≥ 2 cm on the risk of eGFR severe decline was the highest (OR:1.68, 95% CI:1.25–2.23, p < 0.01) of four SRC subgroups. Conclusions SRC is related to eGFR decline, especially when the person with one more SRCs and the size of SRC is more than 2 cm. SRC could be a warning sign for clinicians to judge the decline of renal function.