Impact of physical activity in non-dialysis CKD patients followed in a multidisciplinary care network on the progression of chronic renal failure - PHYSALYS study

Physical activity (PA), has a proven effect on overall health. The study assessed the difference in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over one year in non-dialysis renal failure patients between those who practiced exercise (P) and those who did not (NP). Patients were categorised as P or not P using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ2), completed by telephone, at inclusion and at 12 months. Among the 259 patients included, 195 (75.3%) practiced a PA and 64 (24.7%) did not practiced. There was no significant difference in the slope of GFR decline from inclusion to month 12 between the two groups, p = 0.4107. Only the type of kidney seemed to be significantly associated with the slope of GFR decline over the 12 months (p = 0.0039). These results may be explained by a follow-up time too short to identify an effect of behavioural change on the progression of kidney disease.