A collaborative study, led by researchers at the Aging Research Center of Karolinska Institutet, has identified a set of blood biomarkers capable of predicting the risk of multimorbidity. Multimorbidity, characterized by the co-occurrence of multiple chronic diseases, is a common condition among older populations and impacts both individuals and healthcare services.
Study Overview
The research focused on correlating specific biomarkers with various indicators of multimorbidity, aiming to provide a predictive tool for a condition prevalent in the elderly. The findings are intended to inform potential future healthcare interventions and risk assessments.
Methodology
The study cohort consisted of over 2,200 individuals from the general Stockholm population in Sweden, all aged 60 years or older.
Researchers analyzed 54 specific biomarkers present in the participants' blood. These biomarkers were selected to represent key biological processes, including:
- Inflammation
- Vascular health
- Metabolism
- Neurodegeneration
The investigation then focused on correlating these markers with three distinct measures of multimorbidity:
- The total number of diseases present.
- Five identified common disease patterns.
- The rate of disease accumulation over a 15-year observation period.