Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) are implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney disease; however, their relation with level of kidney function has not been well characterized.

Cross-sectional and prospective.

548 moderately to severely disabled community-dwelling women in the Women's Health and Aging Study I in Baltimore, MD.

Serum l-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), a dominant AGE; total RAGE (sRAGE); and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE).

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), prevalent and incident decreased GFR (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Serum CML, sRAGE, and esRAGE.

Of 548 women, 283 (51.6%) had decreased GFR at baseline. Serum CML level was associated with decreased GFR (odds ratio [OR; all expressed per 1 SD], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41 to 2.76; P < 0.001) in a multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for age, race, hemoglobin A_1c level, and chronic diseases. Serum sRAGE and esRAGE levels (both in nanograms per milliliter) were associated with decreased GFR (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.79; P = 0.003; OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.77; P = 0.001, respectively) in separate multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Of 230 women without decreased GFR at baseline, 32 (13.9%) developed decreased GFR by the follow-up visit 12 months later. Serum CML (in micrograms per milliliter), sRAGE, and esRAGE levels at baseline were associated with the prevalence of decreased GFR 12 months later (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.71; P = 0.005; OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.74; P = 0.05; and OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.77; P = 0.05, respectively) in separate multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders.

Small number of incident cases, limited follow-up, creatinine values not standardized.

AGE and circulating RAGE levels are independently associated with decreased GFR and seem to predict decreased GFR. AGEs are amenable to interventions because serum AGE levels can be decreased by change in dietary pattern and pharmacological treatment.