Our findings were consistent with the Chines famine study, which reported lower EGFR (Beta = − 1.47, 95%CI − 2.81, − 1.13] and greater risk of having CKD (OR 2.85, 95%CI 1.25, 6.50) among famine exposed groups compared to controls [12]. This evidence concerns the gene EGFR and chronic kidney disease.