Objective To explore influencing factors of age-related renal function decline and the association of age-related renal changes with carotid intima-media thickness in apparently healthy individuals. Methods A total of 218 apparently healthy individuals (96 males and 122 females) aged ≥40 were enrolled and divided into adult group (<65 years) and aged group (≥65 years). The individuals were divided into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Serum creatinine, uric acid, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fibrinogen and N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were measured. Their carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured by means of B-mode ultrasonography. Results The eGFR of the aged group was lower than that of the adult group. The level of eGFR exhibited a significant negative correlation with age (r=-0.578, P<0.001). Unconditioned logistic regression analysis revealed that uric acid was an independent risk factor of age-related decline in eGFR (OR=1.008). The multiple regression analysis revealed that eGFR was inversely correlated with CIMT. Uric acid was not associated with CIMT. With further adjustment for age, there was no independent association between eGFR and CIMT. Conclusion As age increases, eGFR decreases. The change of serum uric acid level is an independent risk factor of age-related renal decline in apparently healthy individuals. With age-related decline in eGFR, carotid artery intima-media thickness increases. The impact of age-related renal function decline on carotid intima-media thickness may be somewhat limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]