A groundbreaking study from the Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Medicine, has identified a set of common blood biomarkers that can predict which older adults are at risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, known as multimorbidity. This research, involving over 2,200 participants from Stockholm, Sweden, could revolutionize how healthcare providers identify and manage patients at risk of complex health issues.
Multimorbidity, the presence of several chronic diseases simultaneously, is a growing concern among the elderly. It poses significant challenges not only to individuals but also to healthcare systems worldwide. The study, led by researchers at the Aging Research Center of Karolinska Institutet, highlights the potential of blood biomarkers in predicting the onset and progression of these conditions.
Key Biomarkers and Their Implications
The researchers examined 54 blood biomarkers that reflect various biological processes, including inflammation, vascular health, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. They found that seven biomarkers were particularly significant in predicting multimorbidity.
- GDF-15
- HbA1c
- Cystatin C
- Leptin
- Insulin
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase
- Albumin
Five of these biomarkers—GDF-15, HbA1c, Cystatin C, leptin, and insulin—were consistently linked to all measures of multimorbidity considered in the study. Meanwhile, gamma-glutamyl transferase and albumin were specifically associated with the speed of disease progression over time.
Understanding the Biological Processes
According to Alice Margherita Ornago, the study’s first author and a doctoral student at the Aging Research Centre, “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.”
This discovery underscores the role of metabolic disturbances, stress responses, and energy regulation in driving multimorbidity among older adults. The findings suggest that simple blood tests could be used to identify individuals at high risk, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and better management of chronic diseases.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions
The study was a collaborative effort involving 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).
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to monitor how these blood biomarkers change over time and investigate whether lifestyle changes or medication can influence the pathological processes leading to multimorbidity. This could pave the way for personalized medicine approaches in managing chronic diseases among the aging population.
Implications for Healthcare
The implications of this study are profound. By identifying high-risk individuals through blood tests, healthcare providers can potentially intervene earlier, offering targeted treatments and lifestyle recommendations to slow or prevent the onset of multiple chronic diseases.
Dr. Davide Liborio Vetrano, the study’s principal investigator, emphasizes the potential impact: “This opens up the possibility of using simple blood tests to identify high-risk individuals, enabling earlier intervention in the future.”
As the global population ages, understanding and managing multimorbidity will become increasingly crucial. This study represents a significant step forward in addressing this complex health challenge, offering hope for improved quality of life for older adults worldwide.
The full study, titled “Shared and specific blood biomarkers for multimorbidity,” can be accessed in Nature Medicine. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the biomarkers and their associations with multimorbidity, offering valuable insights for researchers and healthcare professionals alike.