Kidney Disease Can Compromise Your Brain Health! Researchers Find A Disturbing Link

One thing that modern medicine has brought to light is that many diseases and physical conditions in our body relate to each other in one way or the other. There are many mental illnesses that have also been linked to chronic health conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to Medscape, 7.3% of patients with CKD were affected by severe mental illnesses.

But how does having kidney diseases link to mental health in any way? Think of it like this, if you have a broken leg, you might also feel sad or stressed. In the same way, having a long-term illness like kidney disease can affect your mental well-being. This study found that a lot more people with kidney problems also have mental health issues compared to people who don't have kidney problems. What they found was that it not only increased their risk of CKD, but it also increases the probability of them dying earlier

The Study

To understand this relation better, the researchers looked at health statistic from all over Sweden. They focused on people who had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. They studied mental illnesses in 32,943 patients with incident CKD G3b-5 or those who undergoing kidney replacement therapy. They wanted to see if these people also had diagnoses of serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

One thing they checked was whether these mental illnesses were diagnosed before they were diagnosed with CKD. They followed these people over time to see how their mental health affected their kidney function, if they needed treatments like dialysis, and if they were more likely to die. This kind of study helps scientists see the patterns and understand how different health problems are connected.

The study found that people with chronic kidney disease are significantly more likely to experience severe mental illnesses, with about 7 out of every 100 individuals affected, a rate 56% higher than the general population. Specifically, schizophrenia affects less than 1 in 100, bipolar disorder affects about 2 in 100, and major depression affects roughly 5.5 in 100. Having a mental illness alongside kidney disease increases the risk of faster kidney function decline and earlier death, while also decreasing the likelihood of starting necessary kidney replacement therapy.

Does This Link Hold True The Other Way Round?

A 2022 study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Neurology explored the possibility of individuals who have severe mental illness being at a higher risk of CKD. They explained that having a severe mental illness makes things harder for people with CKD. They have higher death rates, more hospital visits, and often don't get the best kidney care. They might see kidney specialists less often and are less likely to get a kidney transplant. While some reasons are known as to why people with CKD suffer with issues like this, such as medication side effects and higher rates of heart problems, they don't explain everything. More research is needed to understand why this happens.

Importance Of Recognizing Mental Health Issues In Patients With Chronic Diseases

It's really important for doctors and healthcare providers to understand that many people with kidney disease also have mental health problems. Studies have shown how mental health affects many different body functions, even how well the body recovers. It is not a separate issue that can be dealt with later. Instead, it's a chance to provide better, more complete care. When someone has both kidney disease and a mental illness, they need a team of healthcare professionals working together. This team might include kidney doctors, mental health specialists, nurses, and social workers. By working together, they can make sure the person gets the right treatments for both their physical and mental health. This approach can improve their overall quality of life and help them manage their health better. Recognizing the connection between these two conditions is the first step toward providing better care.