Prevalence,correlates and outcomes of multimorbidity among the middle-aged and elderly: Findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

BackgroundThe multimorbidity associated with ageing has been prevalent worldwide and poses major challenges to the health care system. However, the research about multimorbidity in China is far from sufficient. Additionally, international studies on the influencing factors of multimorbidity and the impact on disability/mortality are still inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, correlates and outcomes of multimorbidity among the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.MethodsWe used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Logistic regression was performed to analyze the influencing factors of multimorbidity. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the impact of multimorbidity on functional disability and all-cause mortality.ResultsThe prevalence of multimorbidity was 55.12 % in the whole study population and 65.60 % among people aged ≥ 65 years. Multimorbidity was significantly associated with old age (OR: 2.76, 95 % CI: 2.31–3.30), females (OR: 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.44), ex-smoker (OR: 2.07, 95 % CI: 1.58–2.72), ex-drinker (OR: 2.18, 95 % CI: 1.66–2.87), obesity (OR: 2.87, 95 % CI: 2.30–3.57), lower education (OR:1.32, 95 % CI: 1.08–1.61), living alone (OR: 1.26, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.55) and unemployment (OR: 1.66, 95 % CI: 1.11–2.48). Moreover, multimorbidity was correlated with disability (HR: 2.27, 95 % CI: 1.93–2.66) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.95, 95 % CI: 1.36–2.80) after multivariable adjustment.ConclusionsMultimorbidity is highly prevalent in China and possesses significantly negative effects on health outcomes. Identification of the key population and tailored interventions on their modifiable risk factors should be paid much importance.     

Multimorbidity and health-related quality of life among the community-dwelling elderly: A longitudinal study

ObjectivesMultimorbidity is a growing public health problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of multimorbidity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the elderly.MethodsA 24-month longitudinal study was conducted on the community-dwelling elderly. There were 411 elderly persons with complete follow-up. Information on thirteen chronic conditions was collected at baseline. Via a multi-dimensional scale, HRQoL was measured at baseline, 18 and 24 months post-baseline, respectively. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to identify multimorbidity patterns. The linear mixed effects models were conducted to analyze the associations between all dimensions of HRQoL and multimorbidity including distinct multimorbidity patterns.ResultsMultimorbidity was found to be negatively associated with HRQoL except memory function. We identified three multimorbidity patterns, which were mainly labelled as degenerative disorders, digestive/respiratory disorders, cardiovascular/metabolic disorders, respectively. And three multimorbidity patterns were associated with lower HRQoL including general health, body function, self-care ability and social adaptability. Besides, the elderly with the multimorbidity pattern mainly labelled as digestive/respiratory disorders or cardiovascular/metabolic disorders had a decline on emotion than those without multimorbidity. According to the analysis of the longitudinal data of the sample, general health, self-care ability, emotion and social adaptability of the participants decreased in different degrees every month.ConclusionsMultimorbidity was associated with lower HRQoL of the community-dwelling elderly. Distinct multimorbidity patterns had various impacts on different dimensions of HRQoL. Further studies should be carried out to investigate effective measures to improve HRQoL of the elderly with multimorbidity.     

Effects of healthcare interventions on psychosocial factors of patients with multimorbidity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the types of healthcare intervention programs offered to patients with multimorbidity and their effects on key psychosocial factors.MethodsFor this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched databases like Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL RISS, KISS, etc. for studies published between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2019. In total, 8,248 studies in English or Korean were reviewed. We included only randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies that applied healthcare interventions and had major effects on the psychosocial factors in adult patients with multimorbidity. Methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.3 version to estimate the effect size.ResultsWe identified six randomized controlled trials and 1446 subjects were enrolled. The results reveal that healthcare interventions have an effect on self-rated health (SMD = 0.53 95 % CI: 0.26, 0.79, p < .001), reducing anxiety (SMD = −0.19 95 % CI: −0.36, −0.01, p = .030) and depression (SMD = −0.27 95 % CI: −0.44, −0.10, p = .002), and improving self-efficacy (SMD = 0.21 95 % CI: 0.06, 0.35, p = .005) for patients with multimorbidity. However, there was no significant effect on quality of life.ConclusionHealthcare interventions had significant positive effects on self-rated health, anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy of patients with multimorbidity. These results are expected to serve as basic data for the development of a community-based integrated healthcare intervention program and health policy, especially for the vulnerable older population with multimorbidity.     

Adverse Events After Initiating Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor/Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Therapy in Individuals with Heart Failure and Multimorbidity

BackgroundCurrent clinical practice guidelines recommend routine kidney function and serum potassium testing within 30 days of initiating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. However, evidence is lacking on whether routine follow-up testing reduces therapy-related adverse events in adults with heart failure and if multimorbidity influences the association between laboratory testing and these adverse events.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study among adults with heart failure from 4 US integrated health care delivery systems. Multimorbidity was defined using counts of chronic conditions. Patients with outpatient serum creatinine and potassium tests in the 30 days after starting ACEI or ARB therapy were matched 1:1 to patients without follow-up tests. We evaluated the association of follow-up testing with 30-day all-cause mortality and hospitalization with acute kidney injury or hyperkalemia using Cox regression.ResultsWe identified 3629 matched adults with heart failure initiating ACEI or ARB therapy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012. Follow-up testing was not significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14; 1.39) and hospitalization with hyperkalemia (aHR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.33; 1.61). However, follow-up testing was significantly associated with hospitalization with acute kidney injury (aHR, 1.40, 95% CI, 1.01; 1.94). Interaction between multimorbidity burden and follow-up testing was not statistically significant in any of the outcome models examined.ConclusionsRoutine laboratory monitoring after ACEI or ARB therapy initiation was not associated with risk of 30-day all-cause mortality or hospitalization with hyperkalemia across the spectrum of multimorbidity burden in a cohort of patients with heart failure.     

Multimorbidity and functional limitation: the role of social relationships

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between multimorbidity and functional limitation, and how social relationships alter that association.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data collected by self-reported questionnaires from adults aged 65 years and older living in a rural area in Japan in 2017. This analysis included complete data from 570 residents. Multimorbidity status was defined as having two chronic diseases exist simultaneously in one individual, and the function status was measured by their long-term care needs. Social relationships were assessed by the Index of Social Interaction and divided into high and low levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between social relationships and functional limitation and to assess the role of social relationships in this association.ResultsThe logistic regression model indicated that the risk of functional limitation was higher in multimorbidity participants than free-of-multimorbidity participants (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.56–4.16). Compared with participants with no multimorbidity and a high level of social relationships, low level of social relationships increased the risk of functional limitation among participants both with and without multimorbidity, with the OR = 7.71, 95% CI = 3.03–19.69 and OR = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.30–8.27, respectively. However, no significant result was found in participants with multimorbidity and a high level of social relationships (P = 0.365).ConclusionsMultimorbidity was associated with functional limitations. However, this association could be increased by a low level of social relationships and decreased by a high level of social relationships.     

Multimorbidity phenotypes in patients presenting to the emergency department with possible acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundMultimorbidity (> 2 conditions) increases the risk of adverse outcomes and challenges health care systems for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These complications may be partially attributed to ACS clinical care which is driven by single-disease-based practice guidelines; current guidelines do not consider multimorbidity.ObjectivesTo identify multimorbidity phenotypes (combinations of conditions) with suspected ACS. We hypothesized that: 1) subgroups of patients with similar multimorbidity phenotypes could be identified, 2) classes would differ according to diagnosis, and 3) class membership would differ by sex, age, functional status, family history, and discharge diagnosis.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of data from a large multi-site clinical study of patients with suspected ACS. Conditions were determined by items on the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the ACS Patient Information Questionnaire. Latent class analysis was used to identify phenotypes.ResultsThe sample (n = 935) was predominantly male (68%) and middle-aged (mean= 59 years). Four multimorbidity phenotypes were identified: 1) high multimorbidity (Class 1) included hyperlipidemia, hypertension (HTN), obesity, diabetes, and respiratory disorders (COPD or asthma); 2) low multimorbidity (Class 2) included only obesity; 3) cardiovascular multimorbidity (Class 3) included HTN, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease; and 4) cardio-oncology multimorbidity (Class 4) included HTN, hyperlipidemia, and cancer. Patients ruled-in for ACS primarily clustered in Classes 3 and 4 (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.95–4.05, p = 0.001 and OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.13–2.74, p = 0.01).ConclusionIdentifying and understanding multimorbidity phenotypes may assist with risk-stratification and better triage of high-risk patients in the emergency department.     

Multimorbidity and functional status in community-dwelling older adults

BackgroundMultimorbidity is common in older people and may contribute to many adverse health events, such as disability. The aim of the study was to investigate how chronic health conditions (single, paired, and grouped) affect functional independence.MethodWe used two samples (a one-time, convenience sample and a nationally representative cross-sectional survey) of community-dwelling people of 65 years old or over, with a total of 2818 subjects in Spain. To assess functional independence, we used the Barthel index, administered as an interview. Information about the presence of 11 chronic health problems was collected by interview or review of their medical chart. Explanatory factor analysis was performed to assess associations between chronic health conditions.ResultsDiabetes mellitus and hypertension emerged as the pair of chronic health conditions that most affected functional status [OR 1.98; 95% CI (1.51–2.60)], followed by visual and hearing impairment. A synergistic effect was found (p < 0.05) for the cardiovascular disease and hypertension pair. Four multimorbidity groups emerged from the factor analysis: sensory and bone; cancer, lung and gastrointestinal; cardiovascular and metabolic; neuropsychiatric disorders. The neuropsychiatric disorders group was the most strongly associated with physical impairment [OR 4.94; 95% CI (2.71–8.99)], followed by the sensory and bones group [OR 1.90; 95% CI (1.56–2.31)].ConclusionDespite its low prevalence, the neuropsychiatric disorders group was most strongly associated with lower functional status. Analysis of the relationship between chronic medical conditions and functional status could be useful to develop primary health care strategies to improve functional independence in older people with comorbidities.     

Multimorbidity and mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo review literature and provide a pooled effect for the association between multimorbidity and mortality in older adults.MethodsA systematic review was performed of articles held on the PUBMED database published up until January 2015. Studies which used different diseases and other conditions to define frailty, evaluated multimorbidity related only to mental health or which presented disease homogeneity were not included. A meta-analysis using random effect to obtain a pooled effect of multimorbidity on mortality in older adults was conducted only with studies which reported hazard ratio (HR). Stratified analysis and univariate meta-regression were performed to evaluate sources of heterogeneity.ResultsOut of 5806 identified articles, 26 were included in meta-analysis. Overall, positive association between multimorbidity and mortality [HR: 1.44 (95%CI: 1.34; 1.55)] was detected. The number of morbidities was positively related to risk of death [HR: 1.20 (95%CI: 1.10; 1.30)]. Compared to individuals without multimorbidity, the risk of death was 1.73 (95%CI: 1.41; 2.13) and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.81; 4.08) for people with 2 or more and 3 or more morbidities, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was high (96.5%). The sample, adjustment and follow-up modified the associations. Only nine estimates performed adjustment which included demographic, socioeconomic and behaviour variables. Disabilities appear to mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mortality.ConclusionsMultimorbidity was associated with an increase in risk of death. Multimorbidity measurement standardization is needed to produce more comparable estimates. Adjusted analysis which includes potential confounders might contribute to better understanding of causal relationships between multimorbidity and mortality.     

Differences in function and recovery profiles between patterns of multimorbidity among older medical patients the first year after an acute admission—An exploratory latent class analysis

IntroductionMultimorbidity is common among older people and may contribute to adverse health effects, such as functional limitations. It may help stratify rehabilitation of older medical patients, if we can identify differences in function under and after an acute medical admission, among patient with different patterns of multimorbidity.AimTo investigate differences in function and recovery profiles among older medical patients with different patterns of multimorbidity the first year after an acute admission.MethodsLongitudinal prospective cohort study of 369 medical patients (77.9 years, 62% women) acutely admitted to the Emergency Department. During the first 24 h after admission, one month and one year after discharge we assessed mobility level using the de Morton Mobility Index. At baseline and one-year we assessed handgrip strength, gait speed, Barthel20, and the New Mobility Score. Information about chronic conditions was collected by national registers. We used Latent Class Analysis to determine differences among patterns of multimorbidity based on 22 chronic conditions.ResultsFour distinct patterns of multimorbidity were identified (Minimal chronic disease; Degenerative, lifestyle, and mental disorders; Neurological, functional and sensory disorders; and Metabolic, pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders). The “Neurological, functional and sensory disorders”-pattern showed significant lower function than the “Minimal chronic disease”-pattern in all outcome measures. There were no differences in recovery profile between patients in the four patterns.ConclusionThe results support that patients with different patterns of multimorbidity among acutely hospitalized older medical patients differ in function, which suggests a differentiated approach towards treatment and rehabilitation warrants further studies.     

Rapidly developing multimorbidity and disability in older adults: does social background matter?

Background

Multimorbidity is among the most disabling geriatric conditions. In this study, we explored whether a rapid development of multimorbidity potentiates its impact on the functional independence of older adults, and whether different sociodemographic factors play a role beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation.

Methods

A random sample of persons aged ≥60 years (n = 2387) from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC‐K) was followed over 6 years. The speed of multimorbidity development was estimated as the rate of chronic disease accumulation (linear mixed models) and further dichotomized into the upper versus the three lower rate quartiles. Binomial negative mixed models were used to analyse the association between speed of multimorbidity development and disability (impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living), expressed as the incidence rate ratio (IRR). The effect of sociodemographic factors, including sex, education, occupation and social network, was investigated.

Results

The risk of new activity impairment was higher among participants who developed multimorbidity faster (IRR 2.4, 95% CI 1.9–3.1) compared with those who accumulated diseases more slowly overtime, even after considering the baseline number of chronic conditions. Only female sex (IRR for women vs. men 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.0) and social network (IRR for poor vs. rich social network 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.2) showed an effect on disability beyond the rate of chronic disease accumulation.

Conclusions

Rapidly developing multimorbidity is a negative prognostic factor for disability. However, sociodemographic factors such as sex and social network may determine older adults' reserves of functional ability, helping them to live independently despite the rapid accumulation of chronic conditions.     

Association of physical performance and self-rated health with multimorbidity among older adults: Results from a nationwide survey in Japan

ObjectivesTo examine the association of physical performance measures and self-rated health with multimorbidity among older Japanese adults aged ≥60 years using cross-sectional data from a nationwide longitudinal survey.MethodsUsing respondents’ self-reported data from the 2012 National Survey of the Japanese Elderly, we analyzed multimorbidity involving nine major chronic diseases (heart disease, arthralgia, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cataract, cancer, respiratory disease, and low back pain). Respondents who reported having two or more of these diseases were identified as having multimorbidity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine if physical performance (grip strength and walking speed) and self-rated health were independently associated with multimorbidity after adjusting for potential confounders (e.g., demographic, physiological, and lifestyle-related variables).ResultsThe responses of 2525 participants who responded to the survey by themselves (i.e., without proxies) were analyzed (response rate: 57.9%). Among the chronic diseases examined, hypertension had the highest prevalence (44.1%), followed by low back pain (25.7%) and cataract (24.7%). Approximately 44.4% of the respondents had multimorbidity. The regression analysis revealed that multimorbidity was significantly associated with both poor grip strength (P = 0.006) and self-rated health (P < 0.001), but not with walking speed (P = 0.479).ConclusionsMultimorbidity is prevalent in older Japanese adults, and poor grip strength and self-rated health were independently and significantly associated with multimorbidity. Health assessments that include these indicators may provide insight into the health status patterns of older adults with multimorbidity and inform the development of health management strategies.     

Patterns of comorbidity and multimorbidity in the oldest old: The Octabaix study

BackgroundMultimorbidity is associated with higher mortality, increased disability, a decline in functional status and a lower quality of life. The objective of the study is to explore patterns of multimorbidity in an elderly population.Methods328 community inhabitants aged 85 years were included. Socio-demographic variables and data from the global geriatric assessment were evaluated. Information on the presence of sixteen common chronic conditions was collected: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD), atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer, dementia, anemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), visual impairment and deafness. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed.ResultsThe rate of multimorbidity (> 1 disease) was 95.1%. Men had a higher percentage of COPD and malignancy. Four main clusters were identified. The highest value of the bivariate correlation matrix was that between heart failure and visual impairment. These two diseases were included in a cluster with atrial fibrillation, CKD, heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus.ConclusionsThe large majority of oldest old subjects had multimorbidity. The results confirm the non-random co-occurrence of certain diseases in this age group.     

Incidence and Long-Term Outcomes of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

BackgroundHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with increased risks for cardiovascular disease later in life. The HDP incidence is commonly assessed using diagnostic codes, which are not reliable; and typically are expressed per-pregnancy, which may underestimate the number of women with an HDP history after their reproductive years.ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the incidence of HDP expressed as both per-pregnancy and per-woman, and to establish their associations with future chronic conditions and multimorbidity, a measure of accelerated aging, in a population-based cohort study.MethodsUsing the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical record-linkage system, the authors identified residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who delivered between 1976 and 1982. The authors classified pregnancies into normotensive, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, and chronic hypertension using a validated electronic algorithm, and calculated the incidence of HDP both per-pregnancy and per-woman. The risk of chronic conditions between women with versus those without a history of HDP (age and parity 1:2 matched) was quantified using the hazard ratio and corresponding 95% confidence interval estimated from a Cox model.ResultsAmong 9,862 pregnancies, we identified 719 (7.3%) with HDP and 324 (3.3%) with pre-eclampsia. The incidence of HDP and pre-eclampsia doubled when assessed on a per-woman basis: 15.3% (281 of 1,839) and 7.5% (138 of 1,839), respectively. Women with a history of HDP were at increased risk for subsequent diagnoses of stroke (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37 to 3.76), coronary artery disease (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.26 to 2.82), cardiac arrhythmias (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.05), chronic kidney disease (HR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.54 to 3.78), and multimorbidity (HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.35).ConclusionsThe HDP population-based incidence expressed per-pregnancy underestimates the number of women affected by this condition during their reproductive years. A history of HDP confers significant increase in risks for future chronic conditions and multimorbidity.     

Relationship between multimorbidity and direct healthcare costs in an advanced elderly population

Objectives

The goal of this work was to analyze the impact of the extent of multimorbidity on health service resource utilization and, thus, direct healthcare costs of advanced elderly in the German population.

Methods

Based on a cross-sectional sample aged 72 or above in Germany (n?=?1,937), a bottom-up study assessing resource utilization and corresponding costs was performed. Main data sources were patient-reported information concerning morbidity and health service resource utilization administered via telephone interviews within the framework of the PRISCUS trial. To value resource utilization, unit costs were determined for all services under consideration. In order to estimate the impact of multimorbidity on mean annual direct costs, a cumulative multimorbidity index was constructed. Influencing factors on annual average costs were identified via multivariate linear regression models.

Results

Mean annual direct costs of 3,315?EUR (95%?confidence interval (CI) 3,118; 3,512) at 2010 prices were caused by the involved patients: 25% of mean annual costs were due to inpatient care, 20% to outpatient physician services, 20% to pharmaceuticals, 12% to assisted living and transportation, 8% to healthcare products and dentures, 7% to rehabilitation services, 5% to outpatient nonphysician providers, and 3% to spending from compulsory long-term care insurance. Each additional comorbidity was accompanied by a cost increase of 563?EUR (95%?CI 488; 638). Participants with no diseases mentioned in the multimorbidity index caused average annual costs of 1,250?EUR. In contrast, respondents with 10?+ diseases caused the highest mean annual costs of 6,862?EUR.

Conclusion

Longer life expectancy has become commonplace and is often associated with the simultaneous occurrence of several diseases. A clear understanding of the impact of multimorbidity on costs is highly relevant for health policy decision makers. The present study provides a well-founded basis to analyze the relationship between multiple morbidity and associated costs due to healthcare resource consumption of older adults in Germany.     

Utilization and Spending on Potentially Inappropriate Medications by US Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions using Multiple Medications

BackgroundThe utilization of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older adults can lead to adverse events and increased healthcare costs. Polypharmacy, the concurrent utilization of multiple medications, is common in older adults with multiple chronic conditions.ObjectiveTo investigate the utilization and costs of PIMs in multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy over time.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study used linked Medicare claims and electronic health records from seven hospitals/medical centers in Massachusetts (2007-2014). Participants were ≥65 years old, had ≥2 chronic conditions (to define multimorbidity), and used drugs from ≥5 pharmaceutical classes for ≥90 days (to define polypharmacy). Chronic conditions were defined using the Chronic Conditions Indicator from the Agency for Health Research and Quality. PIMs were defined using the American Geriatrics Society 2019 version of the Beers criteria. We calculated the percentage of patients with ≥1 PIMs and the percentages of patients using different types of PIMs. We used logistic regression analyses to test the odds of taking ≥1 PIMs. We calculated mean costs spent on PIMs by dividing the costs spent on PIMs by the total medication cost.Results≥69% of patients used ≥1 PIM. After adjusting for healthcare utilization, chronic conditions, medication intake, and demographic factors, female sex (2014: Odds ratio (OR)=1.27, 95%CI 1.25-1.30), age (2014: OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.90-0.93), and Hispanic ethnicity (2014: OR=1.41, 95%CI 1.27-1.56) were associated with PIM use. Gastrointestinal drugs and central nervous system drugs were the most commonly-used PIMs. In patients using ≥1 PIM, >10% of medication costs were spent on PIMs.ConclusionThe utilization of PIMs in US older adults with multimorbidity and polypharmacy is high.     

Coexisting chronic conditions in the older population: Variation by health indicators

BackgroundThis study analyzes the prevalence and patterns of coexisting chronic conditions in older adults.DesignCross-sectional.Participant and settingA sample of 3363 people ≥ 60 years living in Stockholm were examined from March 2001 through August 2004.MeasurementsChronic conditions were measured with: 1) multimorbidity (≥ 2 concurrent chronic diseases); 2) the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, 3) polypharmacy (≥ 5 prescribed drugs), and 4) complex health problems (chronic diseases and/or symptoms along with cognitive and/or functional limitations).ResultsA total of 55.6% of 60–74 year olds and 13.4% of those ≥ 85 years did not have chronic conditions according to the four indicators. Multimorbidity and polypharmacy were the most prevalent indicators: 38% aged 60–74 and 76% aged ≥ 85 had multimorbidity; 24.3% aged 60–74 and 59% aged ≥ 85 had polypharmacy. Prevalence of chronic conditions as indicated by the comorbidity index and complex health problems ranged from 16.5% and 1.5% in the 60–74 year olds to 38% and 36% in the 85 + year olds, respectively. Prevalence of participants with 4 indicators was low, varying from 1.6% in those aged 60–74 to 14.9% in those aged ≥ 85 years. Older age was associated with higher odds of each of the 4 indicators; being a woman, with all indicators but multimorbidity; and lower educational level, only with complex health problems.ConclusionsPrevalence of coexisting chronic conditions varies greatly by health indicator used. Variation increases when age, sex, and educational level are taken into account. These findings underscore the need of different indicators to capture health complexity in older adults.     

Medical Multimorbidity,Mental Illness,and Substance Use Disorder among Middle-Aged and Older Justice-Involved Adults in the USA, 2015–2018

BackgroundAdults age ≥ 50 are among the fastest growing populations in correctional supervision and are medically underserved while experiencing unique health disparities. Community-living older adults, referred to as “justice-involved,” are people who have been recently arrested, or are on probation or parole. Although medical complexity is common among incarcerated older adults, the occurrence of medical morbidity, substance use disorder (SUD), and mental illness among justice-involved older adults living in US communities is poorly understood.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of medical multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic medical diseases), SUDs, and mental illness among justice-involved adults age ≥ 50, and the co-occurrence of these conditions.DesignCross-sectional analysis.ParticipantsA total of 34,898 adults age ≥ 50 from the 2015 to 2018 administrations of the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health.Main MeasuresDemographic characteristics of justice-involved adults age ≥ 50 were compared with those not justice-involved. We estimated prevalence of mental illness, chronic medical diseases, and SUD among adults age ≥ 50 reporting past-year criminal justice system involvement. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of these conditions and co-occurrence of conditions, comparing justice-involved to non-justice-involved adults.Key ResultsAn estimated 1.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–1.3) of adults age > 50 experienced criminal justice involvement in the past year. Compared with non-justice-involved adults, justice-involved adults were at increased odds for mental illness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.04, 95% CI = 2.09–4.41) and SUD (aOR = 8.10, 95% CI = 6.12–10.73), but not medical multimorbidity (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.85–1.56). Justice-involved adults were also at increased odds for all combinations of the three outcomes, including having all three simultaneously (aOR = 8.56, 95% CI = 4.10–17.86).ConclusionsCommunity-based middle-aged and older adults involved in the criminal justice system are at high risk for experiencing co-occurring medical multimorbidity, mental illness, and SUD. Interventions that address all three social and medical risk factors are needed for this population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11606-020-06297-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.KEY WORDS: justice-involved, older adults, multimorbidity, substance use     

Role of socioeconomic,lifestyle, and clinical factors in the progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in China: A 10-year prospective cohort study

Background and aimsCardiometabolic multimorbidity has become increasingly common over the past few decades. Little is known about how risk factors affect temporal progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity. We aim to explore the role of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical risk factors in the progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.Methods and resultsThis prospective cohort study included 56,587 participants aged ≥45 years who were free of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Three clusters of risk factors were assessed and each on a 5-point scale: socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical factors. We used multi-state models (MSMs) to examine the roles of risk factors in five transitions of multimorbidity trajectory: from healthy to first cardiometabolic disease, first cardiometabolic disease to cardiometabolic multimorbidity, health to mortality, first cardiometabolic disease to mortality, and cardiometabolic multimorbidity to mortality. In MSMs, socioeconomic (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.19–1.25) and clinical (HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.51–1.56) scales were associated with the transition from health to first cardiometabolic. Socioeconomic (HR: 2.39; 95% CI: 2.24–2.54) and lifestyle (HR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.18–1.26) scales were associated with the transitions from first disease to cardiometabolic multimorbidity. In addition, socioeconomic and lifestyle scales were associated with increased risk of mortality in people without cardiometabolic disease, with first cardiometabolic disease, and with cardiometabolic multimorbidity.ConclusionsSocioeconomic and lifestyle factors were not only important predictors of multimorbidity in those with existing cardiometabolic disease, but also important in shaping risk of mortality. However, clinical factors were the only key determinants of incidence of a first cardiometabolic disease.     

Childhood adversity: A gateway to multimorbidity in older age?

BackgroundMultimorbidity, or co-occurrence of several chronic diseases, has major consequences in terms of function, quality of life and mortality. Recent advances suggest that the aetiology of multimorbidity includes a life-long process. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults, and to investigate variation in participants born immediately before, during and at the end of the Second World War.MethodsParticipants were 4731 community-dwelling older adults who enrolled in the Lausanne cohort 65+ study (Switzerland) at age 65–70 years in 2004/2009/2014. A baseline questionnaire provided several indicators of childhood adversity including premature birth, food restrictions, child labour, family economic environment, serious illness/accident, and stressful life events. Multimorbidity at age 67–72 years was defined as ≥2 active chronic diseases at the 2-year follow-up questionnaire.ResultsAll childhood adversity indicators except premature birth were significantly associated with multimorbidity. Odds ratio (OR) ranged from 1.23 (P = 0.034) for poor family economic environment to 1.74 (P < 0.001) for stressful life events. In a multivariable model adjusted for socioeconomic status, health behaviours and stressful life events in adulthood (>16 years), a history of serious illness/accident (OR = 1.45; P < 0.001) and stressful life events (OR = 1.42; P = 0.001) in childhood remained significantly associated with multimorbidity. Comparisons between cohorts indicated substantial variations in the prevalence of childhood adversity indicators but similar associations with multimorbidity.ConclusionThere was an independent association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity after age 65. This study encourages a comprehensive life-course perspective to better understand and potentially prevent multimorbidity.