The association of the Friesinger score and estimated glomerular filtration rate in an urban South Asian patient population

Aim: The correlation between kidney function and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity as assessed by an angiographic score has not yet been studied in the South Asian population. We sought to estimate the association by performing a singlecenter, cross-sectional study. Patients and methods: The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by the CKD-EPI equation and the Friesinger score to quantify the severity of CAD were the primary endpoints in patients undergoing coronary angiograms. Results: The mean eGFR was significantly lower in participants with a Friesinger score of > 5 compared to participants with a score of < 5 (73 vs. 86 ml/min/1.73 m2 by MDRD). In univariate analysis, an eGFR of < 55 ml/min/1.73 m2 was associated with a 9.5-fold increased odds of a higher Friesinger score compared to an eGFR < 55 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.043), which was unchanged in multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, a 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR was associated with a 1.63-fold increased odds of a higher score (95% CI 1·10 - 2.37, p = 0.042). Traditional risk factors such as a history of previous CAD, hypertension, and dyslipidemia remained predictors of a higher Friesinger score. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that kidney function as assessed by eGFR is a significant independent predictor of severity of CAD as determined by the Friesinger score.