A new study from Karolinska Institutet has found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are significantly more likely to suffer from serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
These mental health conditions not only affect their well-being but also lead to worse health outcomes. The study, published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, highlights the urgent need for better mental health care for CKD patients.
Higher Risk of Mental Illness in CKD Patients
The research, based on data from nearly 33,000 CKD patients in the Swedish Kidney Registry, shows that 7.3% of these patients have a severe mental illness. This means they are 56% more likely to experience these conditions compared to the general population.
According to Nanbo Zhu, a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet, the findings reveal a critical gap in care:
“Our results show that patients with both kidney disease and mental illness have a higher mortality rate and faster deterioration of kidney function. It is important that we improve care for these patients by better identifying and treating their mental health problems.”
Mental Illness Impacts Life-Saving Kidney Treatments
One of the study’s key concerns is that CKD patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are less likely to receive renal replacement therapy—a life-saving treatment for kidney failure. This suggests that mental health conditions may act as a barrier to essential medical care, possibly due to challenges in communication, stigma, or lack of integrated care.
Why Mental Health Care Should Be Part of Kidney Disease Treatment
CKD affects over 10% of adults worldwide, and while much research has focused on depression and anxiety, this study highlights the need to pay attention to less common but severe mental illnesses.
The researchers stress that healthcare professionals treating kidney disease need better awareness and training to recognize and manage serious mental health conditions in these patients.
Next Steps: Evaluating Treatments
Moving forward, the researchers plan to use real-world data to evaluate how well current psychiatric medications work for CKD patients and whether they are safe. This could lead to better treatment guidelines and improved carefor people living with both kidney disease and mental illness.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a hidden crisis in CKD care. While chronic kidney disease is physically demanding, its connection to serious mental illness is often overlooked. Without proper mental health support, patients may struggle to manage their condition, access life-saving treatments, or maintain a good quality of life.
Integrating mental health care into CKD treatment could make a major difference—improving survival rates, slowing disease progression, and enhancing overall patient well-being. This research calls for urgent changes in healthcare practices to ensure that mental health needs are not ignored in patients with chronic illnesses.
The research findings can be found in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
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