A new doctoral thesis by Giorgi Beridze, recently published at Karolinska Institutet, sheds light on the relationship between multimorbidity and kidney health in older adults. The research explores how kidney function is ascertained in older adults, how chronic diseases cluster into patterns and how these patterns influence kidney function and the risk of developing albuminuria-a condition marked by the presence of protein in urine, often an early sign of kidney damage.
Giorgi Beridze 's work draws on data from two major Swedish cohorts, SNAC-K and SCREAM, to assess the performance of commonly used creatinine-based equations for estimating kidney function. The findings reveal that several of these equations provided diverging estimates of the glomerular estimation rate older individuals, especially among older individuals with low muscle mass. This has significant implications for both clinical practice and research, as inaccurate assessments may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.
The thesis also identifies distinct multimorbidity patterns - combinations of chronic diseases - that are linked to varying risks of kidney decline. Notably, some patterns not traditionally associated with kidney disease were found to be predictive of albuminuria, while cardiometabolic clusters showed a strong correlation with accelerated kidney function deterioration.
Tailoring kidney function assessments
Giorgi Beridze emphasises the importance of tailoring kidney function assessments to the physiological realities of ageing.
"Our findings underscore the need for more nuanced approaches to evaluating kidney health in older adults," he says. "By recognising specific disease patterns, we can better identify individuals at risk and implement preventive strategies that support healthier ageing."
Future plans
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Aging Research Center at Karolinska Institutet, Giorgi Beridze plans to continue investigating the interplay between multimorbidity and kidney health, with future studies exploring the role of diet and other lifestyle factors. His commitment to teaching and mentoring also remains a key part of his academic journey.
