Anthropometric Measures, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Treatment Effects of Finerenone in Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Disease: Pooled Participant-Level Analysis of Three Global Trials.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a core pathophysiological contributor to cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) conditions. However, the association between different adiposity-related anthropometrics and cardiovascular outcomes in persons with CKM conditions has not been rigorously explored.

OBJECTIVES

To examine cardiovascular outcomes and treatment effects of finerenone according to different adiposity-related anthropometrics.

METHODS

In this prespecified participant-level pooled analysis of FIDELIO-DKD, FIGARO-DKD, and FINEARTS-HF (FINE-HEART), cardiovascular outcomes and treatment effects of finerenone according to baseline body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Of 18,759 participants with available data for all anthropometrics, 52% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m and 98% had any excess adiposity. Among those with BMI <30 kg/m, 95% had increased abdominal adiposity, especially women and older adults. Higher BMI, WC, WHtR, and WHR were each significantly associated with a wide range of cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiovascular death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization and its individual components, major adverse cardiovascular events, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and incident HF hospitalization. BMI-adjusted WHtR and WHtR-adjusted BMI were each associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization; participants with elevated BMI and WHtR experienced a higher rate of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization compared with those with elevated BMI or WHtR alone (P<0.001). Benefits of finerenone on cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization were consistent irrespective of baseline BMI (P=0.27) or WHtR (P=0.26); absolute benefits appeared greater among participants with higher adiposity. Serious adverse events were less common with finerenone vs. placebo, irrespective of baseline BMI category (P=0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest assessment of anthropometrics capturing abdominal adiposity, in addition to BMI, may enhance obesity identification and risk stratification among individuals with CKM conditions. Finerenone consistently reduced adverse cardiovascular outcomes across a wide range of adiposity.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42024570467.