Multimorbidity

Abstract

Advances in medicine and health policy have resulted in growing of older population, with a concurrent rise in multimorbidity, particularly in Iran, as a country transitioning to a western lifestyle, and in which the percent of the population over the age of 60 years is increasing. This study aims to assess multimorbidity and the associated risk factors in Iran.We used data from 50,045 participants (age 40–75 y) in the Golestan Cohort Study, including data on demographics, lifestyle habits, socioeconomic status, and anthropometric indices. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of 2 or more out of 8 self-reported chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, tuberculosis, and cancer. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between multiple different factors and the risk factors.Multimorbidity prevalence was 19.4%, with the most common chronic diseases being gastroesophageal reflux disease (76.7%), cardiovascular diseases (72.7%), diabetes (25.3%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (21.9%). The odds of multimorbidity was 2.56-fold higher at the age of >60 years compared with that at <50 years (P < 0.001), and 2.11-fold higher in women than in men (P < 0.001). Other factors associated with higher risk of multimorbidity included non-Turkmen ethnicity, low education, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, physical inactivity, overweight, obesity, former smoking, opium and alcohol use, and poor oral health.Apart from advanced age and female sex, the most important potentially modifiable lifestyle factors, including excess body weight and opium use, and opium user, are associated with multimorbidity. Policies aiming at controlling multimorbidity will require a multidimensional approach to reduce modifiable risk factors in the younger population in developing countries alongside adopting efficient strategies to improve life quality in the older population.

Assessment of health, functioning and disability of a population aged 60–70 in south-eastern Poland using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0)

“…As many as 61.00% of the researched group reported at least 3 chronic diseases suimultaneously. Similar trends regarding multimorbidity of the elderly has been confirmed by studies carried out in other countries [26,27,28].…”

Multimorbidity as an important issue among women: results of a gender difference investigation in a large population-based cross-sectional study in West Asia

“…24 The details of this study have been described elsewhere. 23 Body mass index (BMI) was defined as underweight (<18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m 2 ), and obese (>30 kg/m 2 ). We divided participants into the following age clusters (age at the time of the interviews): 40-49, 50-60, and 61-75 years.…”

“…In this study, we defined multimorbidity as the simultaneous occurrence of two or more of the above mentioned chronic diseases (non-acute conditions) 23 in the same person. 7 8 28 …”

“…23 In this article we used detailed statistical analyses to examine the variability of the prevalence and determinants of multimorbidity among different age groups. We also investigated interactions between gender and multiple sociodemographic and lifestyle factors potentially associated with multimorbidity.…”

Predictors of multimorbidity among the Kurdish population living in the Northwest of Iran

“…Moreover, the study showed that women were more likely to present with MM (13,14). The most common chronic diseases reported in Golestan studies were gastroesophageal reflux disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.…”