Obesity, anemia, and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease: Overview and pathophysiologic insights

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anemia that is associated with rapid CKD progression is also associated with increased CVD risk. The common soil hypothesis linking obesity, anemia, CKD, and CVD includes increased inflammation and oxidative stress. We present an overview of CKD and CVD risk associated with obesity and anemia highlighting the pathogenetic pathways linking these rapidly growing disorders. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for obesity reduction and anemia treatment and their impact on CVD and CKD risk, highlighting the contemporary issues and questions raised by recent clinical trials.