SOLUBLE TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR RECEPTOR TYPE 1 LEVELS EXHIBIT THE BETTER ASSOCIATION WITH RENAL OUTCOMES THAN TRADITIONAL RISK FACTORS IN CHINESE SUBJECTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

Objective Associations between albuminuria and renal outcomes are inconsistent in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (sTNFR1) is involved in declined kidney function and poor renal outcomes but this has not been confirmed among Chinese T2D patients. This study aimed to examine the association of sTNFR1 and renal outcomes in a cohort of these patients. Methods Two hundred and eighty-three Chinese T2D patients were enrolled in a prospective observational study which excluded individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) 30% decline in eGFR and worsening albuminuria from consecutive tests of blood/urine during a 3.5-year follow-up. Results Higher sTNFR1 levels were associated with impaired renal outcomes. sTNFR1 levels of ≥ 979 pg/mL yielded the most sensitivity and specific predictions of renal outcomes according to the receiver operating curve (area under the curve 0.68, p< 0.001; sensitivity 78.3%, specificity 48.9%). Renal events occurred more frequently in subjects with sTNFR1 ≥ 979 pg/mL than in others (sTNFR1 < 979 pg/mL; 29% vs. 10%, p<0.001 by log-rank test). The association between sTNFR1 ≥ 979 pg/mL and renal outcomes remained significant after adjustment for relevant covariates (adjusted hazard ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.18-5.02, p=0.01) and consistent across subgroups stratified by age, sex, blood pressure, eGFR, albuminuria, and the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. Conclusion Increased sTNFR1 levels were associated with renal outcomes in Chinese T2D subjects, making sTNFR1 a potential biomarker in diabetic kidney disease.