A groundbreaking study from Karolinska Institutet has revealed that a small set of common blood biomarkers can predict which older adults are likely to develop multiple chronic diseases, known as multimorbidity, and the speed at which these conditions may progress. Published in the journal Nature Medicine, the research highlights potential pathways for early intervention and improved healthcare strategies for aging populations.
Multimorbidity, the presence of several chronic diseases simultaneously, is a significant concern for older individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Researchers at the Aging Research Center of Karolinska Institutet have identified specific blood biomarkers that could forecast the risk of developing such conditions. The study involved over 2,200 participants from Stockholm, Sweden, all aged 60 and above.
Understanding the Biological Indicators
The researchers analyzed 54 blood biomarkers related to various biological processes, including inflammation, vascular health, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. They investigated how these markers correlated with three measures of multimorbidity: the total number of diseases, five common disease patterns, and the rate at which these diseases accumulated over 15 years.
“We found that certain blood biomarkers, especially those connected with metabolism, were strongly linked to both specific disease combinations and how quickly new diseases developed,” explained Alice Margherita Ornago, the study’s first author and a doctoral student at the Aging Research Centre at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society.
Key Biomarkers Identified
Seven biomarkers emerged as particularly significant in predicting multimorbidity. Five of these—GDF-15, HbA1c, Cystatin C, leptin, and insulin—were consistently associated with all measures of multimorbidity considered in the study. Two additional biomarkers, gamma-glutamyl transferase and albumin, were specifically linked to the speed of disease progression.
“Our study suggests that disturbances in metabolism, stress responses, and energy regulation are among the main drivers of multimorbidity in older people,” stated Davide Liborio Vetrano, the principal investigator and associate professor at the same department. “This opens up the possibility of using simple blood tests to identify high-risk individuals, enabling earlier intervention in the future.”
Implications for Healthcare
The findings of this study could have significant implications for healthcare, particularly in the management and prevention of chronic diseases among older adults. By identifying individuals at high risk of developing multiple chronic conditions, healthcare providers could implement targeted interventions to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.
The research team plans to continue tracking how these blood biomarkers change over time and to explore whether lifestyle changes or medications can alter the pathological processes involved in multimorbidity.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions
This study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Royal Institute of Technology and SciLifeLab in Sweden, the University of Brescia and the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy, and the National Institute on Aging in the USA. It was funded by the Swedish Research Council, Karolinska Institutet’s strategic research areas in epidemiology and neuroscience, and the National Institutes of Health (USA).
The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to validate these findings across diverse populations and to explore the potential for integrating biomarker testing into routine clinical practice. Such advancements could pave the way for personalized medicine approaches tailored to the unique health profiles of older adults.
As the global population continues to age, understanding and managing multimorbidity will be crucial for sustaining healthcare systems and enhancing the well-being of older individuals. The insights gained from this study represent a promising step toward achieving these goals.
