Depression impacts on your health

Depression is a common disorder in middle-aged and older individuals, and it can contribute to a wide range of mental and physical health issues. A previous study has discovered a relationship between depressed symptoms and fast renal function decrease in chronic kidney disease patients (CKD).

Kidney doctors have long recognized that people with CKD frequently suffer from depression.


Research Clinical Trials:

Dr. Qin and the research's co-authors examined data from persons who took part in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a national study of China's middle-aged and older population.

The researchers took comprehensive measures from 4,763 people aged 45 and up with healthy kidneys. The average age was 59, and males made up 45% of the study population.

The researchers examined data from 2011, 2013, and 2015, as well as doing one-on-one interviews and follow-ups.

Doctors took physical measures and drew blood samples every two follow-up cycles throughout each 2-year check-up.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate was used by the researchers to assess renal function (eGFR). They used a 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale to measure depressed symptoms.


The Study's Results and follow ups:

During a four-year average follow-up, 260 patients, or 6%, showed accelerated renal impairment.

After controlling for demographic, psychological, and clinical characteristics, the researchers discovered in the general population a "significant positive correlation between baseline depressed symptoms and fast deterioration in kidney function."

They discovered that people with strong depressive symptoms" had a 39% higher chance of "rapid deterioration in kidney function.


Effects of depressive symptoms on the Body

The current study did not completely explore the precise processes underlying how depressed symptoms may elevate a person's risk of a quick deterioration in kidney function. However, a number of alternative processes were put up as the cause of this phenomenon.

Numerous prior studies have shown that people with severe depressive symptoms frequently have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in their blood, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-). Together, an increase in these inflammatory markers in the blood can cause kidney fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction, both of which are linked to a rapid decline in kidney function.

Depressed symptoms may lessen the immune system's susceptibility to glucocorticoid hormones. An autonomic imbalance results as a result, which can stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and, as a result, decrease the immune system's ability to operate.


Potential triggers of rapid kidney decline

People with CKD are more likely to suffer from depression, a common mental health issue. It could trigger a number of potential processes" that might hasten the decline in kidney function.


Health behaviors

Additionally, according to the study's authors, kidney function may be harmed by health-related practices including inadequate diet, a decline in social engagement, physical inactivity, and a refusal to seek medical attention.


Inflammation

A study published in World Psychiatry claims that 25–50% of persons with depression experience elevated inflammation, the first potential reason.

The authors of the current study claim that prior studies have revealed greater amounts of circulating inflammatory proteins known as cytokines in persons with serious depression. These cytokines may cause autoimmune reactions that result in the layer of cells that lines blood arteries, the endothelium, becoming dysfunctional. Additionally, it could cause renal fibrosis, which results in kidney disease.


Education level

The researchers discovered that participants who continuously had the greatest levels of depression symptoms had limited access to educational opportunities and, as a result, may be less emotionally resilient or knowledgeable of how to take care of themselves.

I recommend that you also read: Depression Treatment for kidney disease patients 


Conclusions

The results of the present investigation supported the hypothesis that high levels of depression symptoms are associated with a more rapid deterioration in kidney function in healthy persons.

The information presented here supports the use of effective psychosocial interventions and screening for depressive symptoms in the clinical context, even if further research is necessary to completely understand the development of kidney disease in healthy people with depression symptoms. Certain initiatives will probably prevent the onset of chronic renal disease in these patient populations that are at risk.