A new study links depressive symptoms to rapid kidney function decline.

Depression is a common condition in middle-aged and older adults, and it can contribute to a variety of mental and physical problems. 

Previously, research has found a link between depressive symptoms and rapid kidney function decline in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

To look for a potential link in adults with normal kidney function as well, researchers in China have examined information on 4,763 individuals with healthy kidneys when they enrolled in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

At the start of the study, 39 per cent of participants had high depressive symptoms, and during a median follow-up of 4 years, 260 (6 per cent) participants experienced rapid kidney function decline. 

There was a significant association between depressive symptoms at the start of the study and rapid decline in kidney function during follow-up. 

Participants with frequent depressive symptoms were 1.4-times more likely to experience rapid kidney function decline than participants with infrequent depressive symptoms, after adjustments.

“CKD is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and mortality worldwide. Therefore, the identification of more modifiable risk factors may possibly reduce the huge burden of CKD and its related complications by leading to early detection and prevention,” says lead researcher Dr Xianhui Qin. 

“While our study does not show causality, it demonstrated that high depressive symptoms were significantly associated with rapid decline in kidney function among Chinese adults with normal kidney function. 

“If further confirmed, our data provide some evidence for depressive symptom screening and effective psychosocial interventions to improve the prevention of CKD.”