Outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease and obstructive sleep apnea

The Epidemiological Patterns of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Impact on Renal Prognosis

This project will see if obstructive sleep apnea is linked to worse kidney outcomes and identify risk factors in adults with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 356 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT06971874 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a long-term observational cohort enrolling adults with stage 3–4 CKD who are not on dialysis. Participants will be screened for obstructive sleep apnea and followed over time to record kidney function, clinical events, and quality-of-life measures. The study aims to determine OSA prevalence, describe epidemiologic features, and identify demographic and clinical risk factors associated with OSA and renal decline. Findings are intended to inform earlier identification, diagnosis, and intervention for OSA in the CKD population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–74 with stage 3–4 CKD (eGFR 15–60 ml/min/1.73 m² for at least 3 months), not on dialysis, who can provide informed consent and attend the study site.

Not a fit: Patients already on dialysis, those using CPAP or oxygen therapy, people with excluded sleep disorders or severe comorbidities, or those unable to attend the Guangzhou site are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians detect OSA earlier in CKD patients and guide interventions that slow kidney decline and improve symptoms and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller observational studies have reported associations between OSA and worse kidney outcomes, but large long-term CKD-specific cohorts remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Voluntarily sign the informed consent form;

  * Aged ≥ 18 years and \< 75 years;
  * Patients with CKD stages 3-4, with an eGFR of 15-60 ml/min/1.73m² calculated using the CKD-EPI formula for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients receiving oxygen therapy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment;

  * Patients with other sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, etc.;
  * Patients with other severe comorbidities: Severe heart failure (NYHA class III or IV); Myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or stroke within the past 3 months; Severe arrhythmias requiring medication or device therapy; Respiratory diseases, including COPD, asthma, thoracic deformities, etc.; Neurological disorders, including myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc.; Active liver disease or severe hepatic insufficiency; Psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, etc.; History of malignancy within the past 5 years (except cured basal cell carcinoma); Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism;
  * Patients who underwent surgery or had acute infections within the past 3 months;
  * Current heavy alcohol consumption:Females: \>3 drinks/day or \>7 drinks/week; Males: \>4 drinks/day or \>14 drinks/week (1 standard drink = 14g of alcohol)
  * Current use of medications that may severely interfere with sleep, such as antipsychotics, antiepileptics, antiparkinsonian drugs, antidepressants, opioids, etc.;
  * Females who are pregnant or lactating at screening or baseline;
  * Inability to comply with the study due to: Low education level, language barriers, inability to tolerate or complete sleep monitoring, or other reasons preventing completion of study procedures (e.g., follow-up);
  * Deemed unsuitable for participation by the investigator's judgment.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (RECRUITING)

Conditions: Chronic Kidney Diseases, OSAS