A groundbreaking study from the Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Medicine, reveals that a small set of common blood biomarkers can predict which older adults are at risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, known as multimorbidity. This research, involving over 2,200 participants aged 60 and above from Stockholm, Sweden, highlights the potential for early intervention in healthcare.
Multimorbidity, the simultaneous occurrence of several chronic diseases, is a growing concern among the elderly, placing significant pressure on individuals and healthcare systems. The study, led by researchers at the Aging Research Center of Karolinska Institutet, identifies key blood biomarkers that could serve as early indicators of this condition.
Understanding the Role of Blood Biomarkers
Researchers analyzed 54 biomarkers in the blood of participants, focusing on biological processes such as inflammation, vascular health, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. They examined the correlation between these markers and three measures of multimorbidity: the total number of diseases, five common disease patterns, and the rate at which 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,” said Alice Margherita Ornago, the study’s first author and a doctoral student at the Aging Research Centre.
Key Biomarkers Identified
Among the biomarkers studied, seven were found to be particularly significant. Five—GDF-15, HbA1c, Cystatin C, leptin, and insulin—were consistently associated with all measures of multimorbidity. Two others, gamma-glutamyl transferase and albumin, were specifically linked to the speed of disease progression. The findings were confirmed in an independent cohort of 522 participants in the United States.
“Our study suggests that disturbances in metabolism, stress responses, and energy regulation are among the main drivers of multimorbidity in older people,” noted Davide Liborio Vetrano, the principal investigator and associate professor at the same department.
Implications for Early Intervention
The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that simple blood tests could be used to identify individuals at high risk of developing multimorbidity, allowing for earlier interventions. The researchers are planning to track changes in these blood biomarkers over time to explore whether lifestyle modifications or medications can alter the disease trajectory.
This development follows a collaborative effort 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. The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council, Karolinska Institutet’s strategic research areas in epidemiology and neuroscience, and the National Institutes of Health in the USA.
Looking Ahead
The study opens new avenues for research into the prevention and management of multimorbidity. As the global population ages, understanding and mitigating the impact of multiple chronic conditions becomes increasingly critical. By leveraging blood biomarkers, healthcare providers may soon have powerful tools to predict and manage the onset of multimorbidity, ultimately improving the quality of life for older adults.
The research team plans to continue exploring the potential of these biomarkers, aiming to develop targeted interventions that could delay or prevent the onset of multiple chronic diseases. This proactive approach could transform how healthcare systems worldwide address the challenges of an aging population.
