Prevalence, factors and inequalities in chronic disease multimorbidity among older adults in India: analysis of cross-sectional data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI)

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study examines the prevalence, patterns and factors of chronic disease-related multimorbidity. Also, this study examines the inequality in the prevalence of multimorbidity among older adults in India.DesignCross-sectional study; large nationally representative survey data.Setting and participantsWe have used the first wave of a Longitudinal Ageing Study in India conducted in 2017–2018 across all the 35 states (excluded Sikkim) and union territories in India. This study used information from 31 373 older people aged 60+years in India.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe outcome variable for this study is multimorbidity. The study used multinomial logistic regression to examine the risk factors for multimorbidity among older adults. To measure the inequality in multimorbidity, the slope of index inequality and relative index of inequality have been used to understand the ranked-based inequality.ResultsAlmost one-fourth (24.1%) reported multimorbidity. The relative risk ratio (RRR) of multimorbidity (RRR=2.12; 95% CI=1.49 to 3.04) was higher among higher educated older adults than uneducated older adults. Furthermore, the RRR of multimorbidity (RRR=2.35; 95% CI=2.02 to 2.74) was higher among urban older adults than their rural counterparts. Older adults in the richest wealth quintile were more likely to report multimorbidities (RRR=2.86; 95% CI=2.29 to 3.55) than the poorest older adults. Good self-rated health and no activities of daily living disability were associated with a lower risk of multimorbidities.ConclusionsThis study contributes to the comprehensive knowledge of the prevalence, factors and inequality of the chronic disease-related multimorbidity among older adults in India. Considering India’s ageing population and high prevalence of multimorbidity, the older adults must be preferred in disease prevention and health programmes, however, without compromising other subpopulations in the country. There is a need to develop geriatric healthcare services in India. Additionally, there is a need to disseminate awareness and management of multimorbidity among urban and highly educated older adults.

Risk factors of multimorbidity among older adults in India: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…All included studies described study participants and settings in detail except for one (where the exact study location was unclear) 55 . In nine studies, exposure was not measured using a valid and reliable method 18,19,50,52,54,56,60‐62 . The definition of multimorbidity was unclear in three studies, 53,55,60 and one had not defined it 50 .…”

Research trends in the mental health and multimorbidity of older people from 2002 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis via CiteSpace

“…This figure showed notable concerns for older adults with multimorbidity about the prevalence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, considerable research has focused on the relevant impact, like the quality of life and mortality ( 21 , 36 ). Nevertheless, depression was the core topic in this research field of mental health and multimorbidity in older people.…”

“…Frontiers in Psychiatry frontiersin.org focused on the relevant impact, like the quality of life and mortality (21,36). Nevertheless, depression was the core topic in this research field of mental health and multimorbidity in older people.…”

“…Guided by Chen (17), increasing publications will enlarge nodes' size; equally, links become thicker as the relationship between nodes is strengthened.In total, 52 countries released 216 records. The United States showed the highest frequency of occurrence (86) and centrality (0.41), which indicated that it was the most influential in the collaboration network, followed by China (20), Australia(21), Canada (22), and England (17) as shown in Table2. The United States reported three times greater frequency than China, implying that geriatric multimorbidity and mental health would be a substantial public health problem there.…”

The National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly: A Review of its Achievements and Challenges in India

“…Multimorbidity patterns with robust epidemiological research for older adults will help mitigate the clinical complexities by targeting chronic diseases addressed by the healthcare delivery system from the grassroots to the national level. 28 - 30 ) Polypharmacy should be evaluated regularly, to eliminate overlapping or superfluous medicines. 31 )…”