Multiple conditions linked to differing kidney function estimates
Participants with four or more long-term conditions had 4.64 times the adjusted odds of a large kidney estimate mismatch compared with those reporting none.
Researchers analysed kidney function estimates and self-reported long-term conditions in over 400,000 UK Biobank participants in an observational study. They compared estimates based on creatinine and cystatin C, two blood markers used to assess how well kidneys filter blood. They defined a large negative difference as a cystatin C estimate more than 30% lower than the creatinine estimate.
Participants with four or more conditions had 4.64 times the odds of a large negative difference compared with those reporting none. This analysis accounted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status and thyroid disease. Two or more conditions were reported by 33% of the cohort and 63% of those with large negative differences.
Why it matters
Chronic kidney disease is an age-related health concern. The authors suggested considering cystatin C alongside creatinine in people with multiple long-term conditions to refine kidney function estimates and risk assessment.
Caveats
The observational design cannot establish cause and effect. Participants self-reported their long-term conditions.
The paper
Association between multimorbidity and discordance between creatinine- and cystatin C-based eGFR
University of Glasgow
Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, 10 Oct 2026
