Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—and vice versa—as well as early death. While medical risk factors for these outcomes are well documented, social determinants like social isolation have been underexplored in people with CKD. Recognizing that isolation may influence health through behavioral, psychological, and biological mechanisms, a recent study sought to examine how different levels of social isolation impact survival and cardiovascular outcomes in people with CKD, and what steps may help.*

What the Researchers Did

This study analyzed data from 13,090 individuals with CKD who were part of the UK Biobank, a large prospective cohort of participants aged 40–69. Participants were classified into three levels of social isolation—least, moderately, and most isolated—based on:

• Living alone, 
• Infrequent contact with family or friends, and 
• Lack of participation in social activities. 

The study used statistical techniques to estimate how isolation affected time to death and CVD onset. 

What They Found

The study found a strong dose-response relationship between social isolation and early death. 

• Compared to the least isolated individuals, those with moderate and high isolation experienced 49 and 72 fewer days of survival over ten years, respectively. 
• Time to death was accelerated by 14% for moderate isolation and by 26% for the most isolated group. 
• When broken down by cause, isolation particularly increased deaths from circulatory and respiratory diseases.

For cardiovascular outcomes:

• Social isolation was modestly but significantly associated with earlier onset, particularly for stroke.
• The most isolated participants developed CVD 74.5 days sooner than the least isolated, on average. 

Notably, living alone had a stronger negative impact than other dimensions of isolation, and isolation appeared to affect younger individuals and men more significantly.

What It Means

According to the study authors, these findings emphasize that social isolation is not just a psychological or emotional issue—it is a tangible health risk for individuals with CKD. It accelerates death and CVD onset, particularly stroke. 

The study found that sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and CVD collectively explained about 22% of the increased mortality risk in isolated individuals, suggesting that physical deterioration and vascular health are part of the causal pathway.

For people living with CKD, these findings suggest that clinicians should routinely assess social support as part of holistic care. Efforts to reduce social isolation may improve survival and cardiovascular health outcomes, whether through:

• Expanding social networks by reaching out to friends and family,
• Community engagement, 
• Mental health support, or 
• Social services. 

The study advocates for integrating social health into chronic disease management strategies. If you or a loved one is living with CKD, you can take an active role in ensuring a healthy level of social interaction and engagement on both individual and community levels.

*Zeng, X., Jiang, Y., Liu, Z., Yang, H., et al. (2025. May 22). Social Isolation Is Associated With the Acceleration of Death and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease. Journal of the American Heart Association. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.124.038951 

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