These results highlight IL-6's potential as a renal risk biomarker, meriting further study in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndromes.<h4>Lay summary</h4>This study investigated how inflammation is related to deteriorations in kidney function and the occurrence of chronic (long-term) kidney disease (CKD), both of which are critical components of the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is chronic kidney disease.