Homelessness Linked to End-Stage Kidney Disease, Death in Veterans with Incident Chronic Kidney Disease

ReachMD Healthcare Image

09/25/2024

by Elana Gotkine

For veterans with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), a history of homelessness is associated with an increased risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and death, according to a study published online Sept. 10 in JAMA Network Open.

Alain K. Koyama, Sc.D., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues examined the association between a history of homelessness and the risk for ESKD and death in a retrospective cohort study conducted among veterans with stage 3 to 5 incident CKD. Data were included for 836,361 veterans: 32.8 and 32.4% were aged 65 to 74 years and 75 to 84 years, respectively.

The researchers found that 3.1% of the veterans developed ESKD and 43.0% died. Veterans with a history of homelessness had a significantly greater risk for ESKD than those who had not experienced homelessness (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.20). They also had a greater risk for all-cause death (aHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.46 to 1.50).

The results were attenuated but remained significant for all-cause death (aHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.11) and were no longer statistically significant for ESKD after further adjustment for body mass index, comorbidities, and medication use (aHR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.09).

"Potential interventions to improve CKD management may include tailored outreach to increase access to care in this population," the authors write. "Long-term solutions may require recognition of housing as a primary determinant of health and prioritization of housing to ensure adequate management of CKD and any other chronic conditions."

More information: Alain K. Koyama et al, Homelessness and Risk of End-Stage Kidney Disease and Death in Veterans With Chronic Kidney Disease, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31973

Tessa K. Novick, Homelessness and Kidney Disease—Time for Action, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31906

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: Homelessness linked to end-stage kidney disease, death in veterans with incident chronic kidney disease (2024, September 20) retrieved 20 September 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-homelessness-linked-stage-kidney-disease.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Register

We're glad to see you're enjoying Prova Education…
but how about a more personalized experience?

Register for free