In a recent comprehensive study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers unveiled alarming data on Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome prevalence among U.S. adults from 2011 to 2020. This novel staging construct, introduced by the American Heart Association in 2023, seeks to foster a multidisciplinary approach to managing these interrelated health issues among the country’s top causes of death.
The study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to evaluate the extent of CKM syndrome across various demographics and over time. Shockingly, almost 90% of the adult population was found to be at stage 1 or higher of the syndrome, indicating significant health risks.
The CKM syndrome is categorized into various stages, starting from 0, which represents no risk factors, to 4, which includes established cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease. As the stages progress, the risk factors and the severity of chronic kidney and metabolic diseases increase.
Despite the efforts to tackle these conditions, the study revealed that the prevalence of advanced stages (stages 3 and 4), affecting approximately 15% of adults, showed no significant improvement over the decade.
The findings highlighted striking disparities in health outcomes based on age, gender, and race. Adults aged 65 and older were more likely to be in the advanced stages of CKM syndrome compared to younger age groups. Men were found to be more likely than women to reach advanced stages of the syndrome. Black adults showed a higher prevalence of advanced stages compared to White adults, underscoring the need for targeted healthcare interventions to address these inequalities.
The consistent rates of CKM syndrome over the years indicate that while some risk factors have improved, others have worsened, balancing out any potential progress. The study authors call for urgent and equitable healthcare strategies prioritizing CKM health, especially among vulnerable groups.
The lack of improvement in managing these risk factors poses a significant challenge to public health. This calls for an integrated approach that includes better health education, more accessible healthcare services, and policy efforts to prevent and effectively manage these diseases.
As the U.S. grapples with these persistent health challenges, this study’s insights are crucial in guiding future healthcare strategies to reduce the burden of CKM syndrome and improve the nation’s overall health.
Comments from Dr. Thomas: To reduce the risk of CKM syndrome, I recommend following the same diet and lifestyle advice I give my cancer patients: Click here.
