Combined effect of atopic dermatitis and chronic kidney disease on overall and cardiovascular disease mortality

Why skin and kidney problems matter together

Most people think of eczema as an annoying but harmless skin rash, and kidney disease as something that affects only a small, very sick group of patients. This study shows that when these two conditions occur in the same person, the combination can quietly and dramatically raise the risk of dying, especially from heart disease. Understanding this hidden partnership between inflamed skin and damaged kidneys could help doctors spot high-risk patients earlier and protect them from serious complications.

A closer look at two common long-term illnesses

Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a long-lasting, itchy skin condition that affects millions of adults in the United States. Beyond lost sleep and discomfort, recent research suggests it may be linked to other health problems, including heart disease. Chronic kidney disease, in contrast, develops slowly as the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood. It is already known to shorten life and raise the chance of heart attacks and strokes. Because both conditions involve ongoing, low-grade inflammation throughout the body, scientists have begun to ask whether having both at the same time might be especially dangerous.

How the researchers studied the problem

The authors drew on data from more than ten thousand adults who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2006. Participants were grouped into four categories: those with neither eczema nor kidney disease, those with eczema alone, those with kidney disease alone, and those with both. The team then linked these records to national death data through the end of 2019 to see who had died, and whether the cause was heart- or blood vessel–related. By using established statistical methods that account for age, sex, lifestyle habits, and other medical problems, they could estimate how much each combination of conditions changed the risk of death over time.

What the numbers revealed

During a median follow-up of 16 years, about one in nine participants died, and roughly a third of those deaths were from cardiovascular causes. People who had both eczema and chronic kidney disease stood out clearly: nearly a third of them died during the study period, and about one in six died from heart or blood vessel disease. After adjusting for many other risk factors, having both conditions was linked to almost three times the risk of death from any cause and about four times the risk of cardiovascular death compared with people who had neither problem. Kidney disease alone raised the risk more modestly, while eczema alone did not significantly increase mortality in this community-based sample.

Who is at greatest risk and why

The combined impact of eczema and kidney disease was especially strong in adults younger than 65. In older people, other age-related illnesses may overshadow the effect of these two conditions. The researchers also explored why this joint effect might occur. A marker of body-wide inflammation called C-reactive protein explained only a small fraction of the extra risk, hinting that other processes are at work—such as immune system imbalances, damage to blood vessel linings, metabolic changes, and long-term strain on the heart. Previous genetic and clinical studies support the idea that skin inflammation and kidney injury can feed into one another, creating a vicious cycle that harms the heart and circulation.

What this means for patients and doctors

For people living with eczema or chronic kidney disease, the study carries a clear message: each condition on its own deserves attention, but the combination should raise particular concern. The authors suggest that kidney function be checked regularly in patients with significant eczema, and that skin problems and itching in people with kidney disease not be dismissed as minor. Spotting and managing both conditions together may help lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death. While more research is needed—especially in the era of newer eczema treatments—this work highlights how organs that seem far apart, like the skin and kidneys, can be closely linked in determining long-term health.

Citation: Lin, X., Li, C. & Feng, F. Combined effect of atopic dermatitis and chronic kidney disease on overall and cardiovascular disease mortality. Sci Rep 16, 12825 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42382-6

Keywords: atopic dermatitis, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular risk, systemic inflammation, NHANES cohort