A major study from Sweden shows asthma and depression can speed up kidney function decline, raising the risk of chronic kidney disease and failure. Experts urge routine screenings and holistic care to protect long-term kidney health.

New Delhi: A groundbreaking study has revealed that a history of asthma or depression may speed up the decline of kidney function, raising the risk of kidney failure decades later. The findings underline how seemingly unrelated health conditions can interact to damage one of the body’s most vital organs and highlight the urgent need for holistic approaches to chronic disease management.

The Study at a Glance

Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society , the research tracked nearly 3,100 older adults over 15 years through the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). The team investigated how multiple chronic conditions—known as multimorbidity—affect kidney health, focusing on clusters of asthma, depression, diabetes, and hypertension.

Lead author Giorgi Beridze and colleagues found that individuals with multimorbidity, especially those with cardiometabolic conditions combined with asthma or depression, were at a significantly higher risk of rapid kidney function decline.

Why Asthma and Depression Matter

While diabetes and heart disease are well-established risk factors for kidney damage, this study highlighted the overlooked roles of asthma and depression:

Asthma contributes through chronic inflammation, which harms blood vessels and circulation vital for kidney health.

Depression worsens the problem via stress hormones, inflammation, and lifestyle risks such as inactivity, poor diet, smoking, or missed medical visits.

“Multimorbidity is strongly associated with accelerated kidney function decline in older age,” the authors concluded, noting that those with cardiometabolic clusters face the highest risks.

A Growing Global Concern

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) already affects over 500 million people worldwide and is often called a “silent killer” because symptoms typically appear only in late stages. In the U.S. alone, CKD is the ninth leading cause of death and costs billions annually in healthcare spending.

For older adults—whose kidney function naturally declines with age—the added burden of asthma or depression may hasten kidney failure, often leading to dialysis or transplantation.

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Expert Reactions

Dr. Elena Martinez, a nephrologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine who was not involved in the study, praised its findings. “This research reinforces the need for integrated care. Treating asthma or depression isn’t just about lungs or mood—it’s about protecting the whole body, including the kidneys,” she said.

Martinez emphasized that depression has long been tied to poorer CKD outcomes, but linking it directly to progression in otherwise healthy kidneys is a “game-changer.”

Prevention and Next Steps

The researchers advocate for early monitoring in at-risk groups. Recommendations include:

• Routine kidney function tests (eGFR) for patients with asthma or depression.
• Lifestyle interventions such as exercise, stress management, and anti-inflammatory diets.
• Stronger clinical coordination across specialties to manage multimorbidity.

With 300 million people living with asthma and 280 million with depression worldwide, the potential impact on kidney health is enormous. As people get older, regular check-ups and combined care will become very important.

For patients, the takeaway is simple: managing one condition may protect against another. Taking proactive steps today—through medical check-ups and healthier living—could help preserve kidney function tomorrow.

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Mansi Sharma

Young, daring, and always chasing the story.
Hi! I’m Mansi Sharma, 22, a fearless journalist who turns lifestyle, health, and political trends into bold, unforgettable narratives. I don’t just report — I make every story sizzle, spark, and stick.