A simple blood or urine test may now help better predict how chronic kidney disease is likely to progress, according to a study on Friday, which identified key biological signals of the disease.

The team from The University of Manchester showed that higher levels of Kidney Injury Molecule-1(KIM-1) -- a special marker of kidney damage in the blood and urine -- are associated with higher risks of mortality and kidney failure.

Last month, the team measured 21 markers in blood and urine that reflect key processes driving kidney disease, inflammation, and heart disease.