Atherosclerotic risk factors and renal function in the elderly: the role of hyperfibrinogenaemia and smoking. Results from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ILSA)

Abstract

The present prevalence and longitudinal studies show that age-associated decline in renal function in elderly subjects is associated with co-existing cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. These observations should be incorporated into clinical practice since some of the factors detrimental to kidney function, such as smoking, altered fibrinogen levels and elevated systolic blood pressure, can be prevented and/or modified when appropriate measures are taken.