Researchers at the Karolinska Institute have determined that a simple blood test can predict the risk of developing several chronic conditions simultaneously in older adults—a state known as multimorbidity. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, stem from data involving over 2200 Stockholm residents aged over 60 who were monitored across a 15-year span.
The investigators examined 54 biomarkers reflecting inflammation, metabolism, vascular status, and neurodegenerative processes, and compared these with three measures of multimorbidity: the total count of ailments, usual diagnosis pairings, and the pace of their accumulation. Seven markers proved especially significant. Five correlated with all subtypes of multimorbidity, while the other two were mainly linked to the speed of disease advancement. These conclusions were verified in an independent cohort of 522 participants in the US.
According to the authors, disruptions in metabolic processes, energy equilibrium, and cellular stress response play a central part in the emergence of numerous ailments in the elderly. This presents an opportunity for early detection of at-risk individuals using an accessible blood analysis and, eventually, timely intervention. Presently, the researchers plan to investigate how lifestyle adjustments or pharmacological treatment might affect the trends of these biomarkers and decelerate disease progression.
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