Multiple chronic health conditions appear to speed up the death of your kidneys

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Could a history of asthma or depression end up leading to kidney failure years later? A new study is sounding the alarm on a potential link between chronic health conditions and an accelerated decline in kidney function.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University discovered that older adults with multiple chronic conditions experience a significantly faster decline in kidney function compared to those with fewer health issues. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, tracked nearly 3,100 older adults over 15 years, providing an unprecedented look into how different combinations of health conditions affect kidney health.

The research team found that not all chronic conditions impact kidney function equally. Some combinations of health problems accelerate kidney decline more rapidly than others, with cardiometabolic conditions — those related to heart and metabolic health — posing the greatest risk.

“Our findings emphasize the importance of a comprehensive assessment that considers not only the overall chronic disease burden, but also the complex interplay between diseases when evaluating the risk of kidney function decline in older adults,” says corresponding author Giorgi Beridze, MD, MMSc, of the Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University, in a media release. “Individuals presenting with diseases that are characteristic of high-risk multimorbidity patterns may particularly benefit from increased kidney function monitoring, promotion of healthy lifestyle, and timely pharmacological interventions.”

The study revealed that older adults with multiple health issues don’t just experience a linear decline in kidney function. Instead, they follow complex trajectories influenced by the specific combination of their conditions.

The study identified five distinct patterns of chronic conditions among participants. The most concerning group was characterized by cardiometabolic conditions like diabetes and heart-related issues. These individuals showed the most dramatic kidney function decline, with their kidney filtration rates dropping nearly three and a half times faster than those in the lowest-risk group.

While the study authors did not directly tie kidney failure to other chronic problems, such as asthma, depression, or other mental health disorders, they note that their findings could not definitively rule out a connection.

Notably, 87% of study participants had multiple chronic conditions, highlighting how common complex health scenarios are among older adults. The average participant was around 74 years-old, and two-thirds were women. This demographic reflects the growing challenge of managing multiple health conditions in an aging population.

The research provides critical insights for healthcare professionals and patients alike. It suggests that managing multiple chronic conditions requires a more nuanced approach than treating each condition in isolation. Instead, doctors should consider how different health problems might interact and potentially compound their negative effects.

The findings also underscore the importance of regular monitoring and proactive healthcare for older adults. By identifying high-risk multimorbidity patterns, healthcare providers can develop more targeted interventions to slow kidney function decline and reduce associated cardiovascular risks.