Managing patients with multimorbidity in primary care

Patient Preferences in Surveillance: Findings From a Discrete Choice Experiment in the "My Follow-Up" Study

OBJECTIVES

Approximately 800 000 people die globally from colorectal cancer (CRC) every year. Prevention programs promote early detection, but for people with precancerous lesions, tailoring surveillance to include lifestyle-change programs could enhance prevention potential and improve outcomes.

METHODS

Those with intermediate or high-risk polyps removed during CRC screening colonoscopy within the Northern Ireland CRC Screening Programme were invited to complete 8 discrete choice questions about tailored surveillance, analyzed using random-parameters logit and a latent class modeling approach.

RESULTS

A total of 231 participants (77% male) self-reported comorbid hypertension (53%), high cholesterol (48%), and mean body mass index of 28.7 (overweight). Although 39% of participants were unaware of their CRC risk status, 30.9% indicated they were already making changes to reduce their risk. Although all respondents were significantly risk- and cost-averse, the latent class analysis identified 3 segments (classes): 1. Class 1 (26.8%) significantly favored phone or email support for a lifestyle change, a 17-month testing interval, and noninvasive testing. 2. Class 2 (48.4%) preferred the status quo. 3. Class 3 (24.7%) significantly favored further risk reduction and invasive testing.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first documented preference study focusing on postpolypectomy surveillance offering lifestyle interventions. Although current care is strongly preferred, risk and cost aversion are important for participants. Latent class analysis shows that some respondents are willing to change diet and lifestyle behaviors, reflecting a teachable moment, with opportunities to personalize and optimize surveillance. Significant discordance between perceived and known risk of recurrence and limited recall of risk information provided within current practice suggest necessary improvements to surveillance programs.

The evolution of an evidence based intervention designed to improve prescribing and reduce polypharmacy in older people with multimorbidity and significant polypharmacy in primary care (SPPiRE)

Introduction

By the time an intervention is ready for evaluation in a definitive RCT the context of the evidence base may have evolved. To avoid research waste, it is imperative that intervention design and evaluation is an adaptive process incorporating emerging evidence and novel concepts. The aim of this study is to describe changes that were made to an evidence based intervention at the protocol stage of the definitive RCT to incorporate emerging evidence.

Methods

The original evidence based intervention, a GP delivered web guided medication review, was modified in a five step process:Identification of core components of the original intervention.Literature review.Modification of the intervention.Pilot study.Final refinements. A framework, developed in public health research, was utilised to describe the modification process.

Results

The population under investigation changed from older people with a potentially inappropriate prescription (PIP) to older people with significant polypharmacy, a proxy marker for complex multimorbidity. An assessment of treatment priorities and brown bag medication review, with a focus on deprescribing were incorporated into the original intervention. The number of repeat medicines was added as a primary outcome measure as were additional secondary patient reported outcome measures to assess treatment burden and attitudes towards deprescribing.

Conclusions

A framework was used to systematically describe how and why the original intervention was modified, allowing the new intervention to build upon an effective and robustly developed intervention but also to be relevant in the context of the current evidence base.

Prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among adults in Botswana: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Botswana is currently undergoing rapid epidemiological transition indicated by a decline in infectious diseases and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases and their associated risk factors. The main aim of this study was to assess prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among the adult population in Botswana.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study called Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Study (NCDs study) was conducted in March, 2016. Using multistage cross sectional sampling design, 1178 male and female respondents aged 15 years and above were interviewed across 3 cities and towns, 15 urban villages and 15 rural villages. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess covariates of multimorbidity. The statistical significant level was fixed at p <0 .05.

RESULTS

Prevalence of multimorbidity in the sampled population was estimated at 5.4%. Multivariate results indicate that the odds of multimobridty were significantly high among women (AOR = 3.34, 95% C.I. = 1.22-21.3) than men. On the other hand, the odds of multimorbidity were significantly low among young people aged below 24 years (AOR = 0.01, 95% C.I. = 0.00-0.07), currently married people (AOR = 0.24, 95% C.I. = 0.07-0.80) and individuals in the 2nd wealth quintile (AOR = 0.20, 95% C.I. = 0.05-0.75) compared to their counterparts. For behavioural risk factors, alcohol consumption (AOR = 4.80, 95% C.I. = 1.16-19.8) and overweight/obesity (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.12-2.61) were significantly associated with high multimorbidity prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Multimorbidity was found to be more prevalent among women, alcohol consumers and overweight/obese people. There is need to strengthen interventions encouraging healthy lifestyles such as non-consumption of alcohol, physical activity and healthy diets. Moreover, there is need for a holistic approach of health care services to meet the needs of those suffering from multimorbidity.

Associations of multimorbidity with breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening delivery: a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative Japanese sample

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity is associated with a high mortality rate and low health-related quality of life. Previous studies have indicated that multimorbidity tends to be associated with not receiving cancer screening, although this association remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between multimorbidity and the delivery of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in Japan, and to identify subgroups that did not receive cancer screening.

METHODS

This study used cross-sectional data from the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, which used a stratified random sample of the general Japanese population. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between the number of chronic conditions and each cancer's screening proportion. The relevant covariates included age, marital status, education level, occupation, and household income.

RESULTS

Relative to subjects with no chronic conditions, subjects with two chronic conditions received more screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers (breast cancer, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.80-10.5; cervical cancer, aOR: 4.59, 95% CI: 2.03-10.4; male colorectal cancer, aOR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.29-8.24; female colorectal cancer, aOR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.39-2.81). Low socioeconomic status was associated with not receiving any type of cancer screening consistently.

CONCLUSION

Multimorbidity and high socioeconomic status were associated with higher proportions of screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers in the Japanese population. More aggressive strategies may be needed to promote screening among Japanese individuals with no chronic conditions and individuals with low socioeconomic status.

Cluster Analysis of the Associations among Physical Frailty, Cognitive Impairment and Mental Disorders

Background

Physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and symptoms of anxiety and depression frequently co-occur in later life, but, to date, each has been assessed separately. The present study assessed their patterns in primary care patients aged ≥60 years.

Material/Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated 263 primary care patients aged ≥60 years in eastern Croatia in 2018. Physical frailty, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression, were assessed using the Fried phenotypic model, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively. Patterns were identified by latent class analysis (LCA), Subjects were assorted by age, level of education, and domains of psychological and cognitive tests to determine clusters.

Results

Subjects were assorted into four clusters: one cluster of relatively healthy individuals (61.22%), and three pathological clusters, consisting of subjects with mild cognitive impairment (23.95%), cognitive frailty (7.98%), and physical frailty (6.85%). A multivariate, multinomial logistic regression model found that the main determinants of the pathological clusters were increasing age and lower mnestic functions. Lower performance on mnestic tasks was found to significantly determine inclusion in the three pathological clusters. The non-mnestic function, attention, was specifically associated with cognitive impairment, whereas psychological symptoms of anxiety and dysphoria were associated with physical frailty.

Conclusions

Clustering of physical and cognitive performances, based on combinations of their grades of severity, may be superior to modelling of their respective entities, including the continuity and non-linearity of age-related accumulation of pathologic conditions.

Assessing guideline-concordant care for patients with multimorbidity treated in a care management setting

BACKGROUND

Disease-specific guidelines are not aligned with multimorbidity care complexity. Meeting all guideline-recommended care for multimorbid patients has been estimated but not demonstrated across multiple guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

Measure guideline-concordant care for patients with multimorbidity; assess in what types of care and by whom (clinician or patient) deviation from guidelines occurs and evaluate whether patient characteristics are associated with concordance.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of care received over 1 year, conducted across 11 primary care clinics within the context of multimorbidity-focused care management program. Patients were aged 45+ years with more than two common chronic conditions and were sampled based on either being new (≤6 months) or veteran to the program (≥1 year).

MEASURES

Three guideline concordance measures were calculated for each patient out of 44 potential guideline-recommended care processes for nine chronic conditions: overall score; referral score (proportion of guideline-recommended care referred) and patient-only score (proportion of referred care completed by patients). Guideline concordance was stratified by care type.

RESULTS

4386 care processes evaluated among 204 patients, mean age = 72.3 years (standard deviation = 9.7). Overall, 79.2% of care was guideline concordant, 87.6% was referred according to guidelines and patients followed 91.4% of referred care. Guideline-concordant care varied across care types. Age, morbidity burden and whether patients were new or veteran to the program were associated with guideline concordance.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with multimorbidity do not receive ~20% of guideline recommendations, mostly due to clinicians not referring care. Determining the types of care for which the greatest deviation from guidelines exists can inform the tailoring of care for multimorbidity patients.

Professional roles of general practitioners, community pharmacists and specialist providers in collaborative medication deprescribing - a qualitative study

Background

Collaborative care approaches between general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists have received international recognition for medication optimization and deprescribing efforts. Although specialist providers have been shown to influence deprescribing, their profession so far remains omitted from collaborative care approaches for medication optimization. Similarly, while explorative studies on role perception and collaboration between GPs and pharmacists grow, interaction with specialists for medication optimization is neglected. Our qualitative study therefore aims to explore GPs’, community pharmacists’ and specialist providers’ role perceptions of deprescribing, and to identify interpersonal as well as structural factors that may influence collaborative medication optimization approaches.

Method

Seven focus-group discussions with GPs, community pharmacists and community specialists were conducted in Hesse and Lower Saxony, Germany. The topic guide focused on views and experiences with deprescribing with special attention to inter-professional collaboration. We conducted conventional content analysis and conceptualized emerging themes using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

Twenty-six GPs, four community pharmacists and three community specialists took part in the study. The main themes corresponded to the four domains ‘Social/professional role and identity’ (1), ‘Social influences’ (2), ‘Reinforcement’ (3) and ´Environmental context and resources’ (4) which were further described by beliefs statements, that is inductively developed key messages. For (1), GPs emerged as central medication managers while pharmacists and specialists were assigned confined or subordinated tasks in deprescribing. Social influences (2) encompassed patients’ trust in GPs as a support, while specialists and pharmacists were believed to threaten GPs’ role and deprescribing attempts. Reinforcements (3) negatively affected GPs’ and pharmacists’ effort in medication optimization by social reprimand and lacking reward. Environmental context (4) impeded deprescribing efforts by deficient reimbursement and resources as well as fragmentation of care, while informational and gate-keeping resources remained underutilized.

Conclusion

Understanding stakeholders’ role perceptions on collaborative deprescribing is a prerequisite for joint approaches to medication management. We found that clear definition and dissemination of roles and responsibilities are premise for avoiding intergroup conflicts. Role performance and collaboration must further be supported by structural factors like adequate reimbursement, resources and a transparent continuity of care.

What the doctor doesn't know: Discarded patient knowledge of older adults with multimorbidity

OBJECTIVES

Adherence to treatment has proven to require the involvement of patients in treatment and care planning. This process involves incorporating patient knowledge, or knowledge about the patients' everyday life, into the clinical encounter. This article explores the disclosure practices of such knowledge from older adults with multimorbidity.

METHODS

This was an 18-month qualitative study among 14 older adults with multimorbidity living in Denmark. A thematic analysis was applied, focusing on perceptions of patient knowledge and disclosure practices among the participating patients.

RESULTS

Older adults with multimorbidity have various reasons for not disclosing personal knowledge. The results present three different domains of what we termed discarded patient knowledge: (1) knowledge that had no direct biomedical relevance from participants' perspective; (2) knowledge considered too private; and (3) knowledge assumed to position one as inferior.

DISCUSSION

The participants made judgments on what they believed was welcome in the clinical encounter, framing their knowledge within the purview of biomedicine. Participants' disclosure practices showed that personal knowledge is sometimes not recognized as important for health and care by participants themselves. Knowledge that could have influenced practitioners' understanding of the problem and provided different solutions, is argued to be discarded patient knowledge.

Socioeconomic Position, Multimorbidity and Mortality in a Population Cohort: The HUNT Study

Multimorbidity and socioeconomic position are independently associated with mortality. We investigated the association of occupational position and several multimorbidity measures with all-cause mortality. A cohort of people aged 35 to 75 years who participated in the Trøndelag Health Study in 2006-2008 and had occupational data was linked to the Norwegian National Population Registry for all-cause mortality from study entry until 1 February 2019. Logistic regression models for each occupational group were used to analyze associations between the number of conditions and 10-year risk of death. Cox regression models were used to examine associations between combinations of multimorbidity, occupational position, and mortality. Analyses were conducted for men and women. Included were 31,132 adults (16,950 women (54.4%)); occupational groups: high, 7501 (24.1%); low, 15,261 (49.0%)). Increased mortality was associated with lower occupational group, more chronic conditions, and all multimorbidity measures. The joint impact of occupational group and multimorbidity on mortality was greater in men than women. All multimorbidity measures are strongly associated with mortality, with varying occupational gradients. Social differences in multimorbidity are a public health challenge and necessitate consideration in health care. Men in lower occupational groups seem to be a particularly vulnerable group.

Agreement between self-reported morbidity and pharmacy claims data for prescribed medications in an older community based population

Background

Studies have indicated variability around prevalence estimates of multimorbidity due to poor consensus regarding its definition and measurement. Medication-based measures of morbidity may be valuable resources in the primary-care setting where access to medical data can be limited. We compare the agreement between patient self-reported and medication-based morbidity; and examine potential patient-level predictors of discordance between these two measures of morbidity in an older (≥ 50 years) community-based population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using national pharmacy claims data linked to The Irish LongituDinal study on Ageing (TILDA). Morbidity was measured by patient self-report (TILDA) and two medication-based measures, the Rx-Risk (< 65 years) and Rx-Risk-V (≥65 years), which classify drug claims into chronic disease classes. The kappa statistic measured agreement between self-reported and medication-based morbidity at the individual patient-level. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine patient-level characteristics associated with discordance between measures of morbidity.

Results

Two thousand nine hundred twenty-five patients were included (< 65 years: N = 1095, 37.44%; and ≥ 65 years: N = 1830 62.56%). Hypertension and high cholesterol were the most prevalent self-reported morbidities in both age cohorts. Agreement was good or very good (κ = 0.61–0.81) for diabetes, osteoporosis and glaucoma; and moderate for high cholesterol, asthma, Parkinson’s and angina (κ = 0.44–0.56). All other conditions had fair or poor agreement. Age, gender, marital status, education, poor-delayed recall, depression and polypharmacy were significantly associated with discordance between morbidity measures.

Conclusions

Most conditions achieved only moderate or fair agreement between self-reported and medication-based morbidity. In order to improve the accuracy in prevalence estimates of multimorbidity, multiple measures of multimorbidity may be necessary. Future research should update the current Rx-Risk algorithms in-line with current treatment guidelines, and re-assess the feasibility of using these indices alone, or in combination with other methods, to yield more accurate estimates of multimorbidity.

Identifying Adherence Patterns Across Multiple Medications and Their Association With Health Outcomes in Older Community-Dwelling Adults With Multimorbidity

OBJECTIVES

To classify older people with multimorbidity according to their adherence patterns and to examine the association between medication adherence and health outcomes.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of a cohort study. Community-dwelling adults aged ≥70 years were recruited from 15 general practices in Ireland in 2010 (wave 1) and followed up 2 years later (wave 2). Participants had ≥2 RxRisk-V multimorbidity conditions at wave 1 and had ≥2 dispensations of RxRisk-V medications (wave 1-wave 2). Average adherence across RxRisk-V conditions was estimated based on continuous multiple-interval measure of medication availability (CMA7 function in AdhereR). Group-based trajectory models were used to group participants' adherence patterns for RxRisk-V medications. Multilevel regression was used to examine the association between adherence and (1) EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) utility (linear) and (2) vulnerability, using the Vulnerable Elders Survey (≥3 defined as vulnerable; logistic) at wave 2, controlling for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Average adherence (CMA7) was 77% across 501 participants. Group-based trajectory models identified 5 adherence groups: (1) initial low adherers, gradual increase; (2) high adherers, sharp decline; (3) steady adherers, gradual decline; (4) consistent high adherers; and (5) consistent nonadherers. Higher average adherence was associated with a significant increase in EQ-5D utility (adjusted β = 0.11, robust standard error 0.04). Group 5 was associated with significantly increased vulnerability compared to group 4 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.88; 95% confidence interval 1.01-3.50).

CONCLUSION

Increased average adherence was associated with higher EQ-5D utility. Adherence grouping did not significantly impact utility. Suboptimal adherence to multiple medications in older adults with multimorbidity was associated with vulnerability.

Guidance for post-discharge care following acute kidney injury: an appropriateness ratings evaluation

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor health outcomes, including increased mortality and rehospitalisation. National policy and patient safety drivers have targeted AKI as an example to ensure safer transitions of care.

AIM

To establish guidance to promote high-quality transitions of care for adults following episodes of illness complicated by AKI.

DESIGN & SETTING

An appropriateness ratings evaluation was undertaken using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM). The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) AKI working group developed a range of clinical scenarios to help identify the necessary steps to be taken following discharge of a patient from secondary care into primary care in the UK.

METHOD

A 10-person expert panel was convened to rate 819 clinical scenarios, testing the most appropriate time and action following hospital discharge. Specifically, the scenarios focused on determining the appropriateness and urgency for planning: an initial medication review; monitoring of kidney function; and assessment for albuminuria.

RESULTS

Taking no action (that is, no medication review; no kidney monitoring; or no albuminuria testing) was rated inappropriate in all cases. In most scenarios, there was consensus that both the initial medication review and kidney function monitoring should take place within 1-2 weeks or 1 month, depending on clinical context. However, patients with heart failure and poor kidney recovery were rated to require expedited review. There was consensus that assessment for albuminuria should take place at 3 months after discharge following AKI.

CONCLUSION

Systems to support tailored and timely post-AKI discharge care are required, especially in high-risk populations, such as people with heart failure.

Longitudinal Medication Adherence in Older Adults With Multimorbidity and Association With Health Care Utilization: Results From the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

BACKGROUND

The association between objectively measured nonadherence and health care utilization in multimorbid older people is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To measure medication adherence across multiple chronic conditions, identify adherence patterns, and estimate the association between adherence and self-reported health care utilization.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of multimorbid participants aged ≥70 years in the Irish LongituDinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Eligible participants had linked pharmacy claims data and completed TILDA wave 2 (2 years after wave 1). The RxRisk-V tool was used to identify multimorbidity. Average adherence (AA) across RxRisk-V conditions was estimated using the CMA7 function (AdhereR). Group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) identified adherence patterns in the 12 months following wave 1. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate the association between adherence and the rate of subsequent self-reported general practitioner [GP] visits, emergency department (ED) visits, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations in the 12 months following adherence measurement (reported at wave 2). Adjusted Incident Rate Ratios (aIRR) and 95% CIs are presented.

RESULTS

Higher AA (CMA7) was associated with a small significant decrease in GP visit rate (aIRR = 0.70; CI = 0.53-0.94) and outpatient visit rate (aIRR = 0.44; CI = 0.23-0.81). GBTM identified 6 adherence groups (n = 1050). Compared with high adherers, group 1 (rapid decline, modest increase) membership (aIRR = 1.72; CI = 1.09-2.73) and group 4 (high adherence, delayed decline) membership (aIRR = 1.92; CI = 1.19-3.05) significantly increased ED visit rate.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Suboptimal medication adherence in multimorbid older adults is associated with increased health care utilization. Identification of suboptimal adherence groups for medication management interventions may help decrease the health system burden and health care costs.

A comprehensive descriptive assessment of obesity related chronic morbidity and estimated annual cost burden from a population-based electronic health record database

BACKGROUND

The growing prevalence of obesity and its complications pose a huge burden on the individual and health care systems worldwide. This study presents the frequency of multiple prevalent co-morbidities and estimated annual cost burden by body mass index (BMI) groups, age, and sex among the Israeli adult population to provide policy makers with further evidence to appropriately target interventions.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study utilized population-based electronic medical records from the largest payer-provider health fund in Israel. The population included individuals ≥25 years as of 01/01/2014. A new approach assessing body system-related morbidity (BSRM) prevalence was assessed along with estimated annual cost burden for the year 2015 and presented across BMI group, age, and sex via heat maps.

RESULTS

Among 1,756,791 adults, 65% had an elevated BMI (BMI > 25 kg/m²). Heat map analysis demonstrated a higher multi-BSRM prevalence and relative estimated annual cost burden among participants with obesity in all age groups. There was a notably higher multi-BSRM prevalence among men and women aged 25-29 with class III obesity (26 and 30%, respectively) compared to the corresponding BMI groups between 18·5- < 25 kg/m² (5 and 9%, respectively). Healthcare costs were 1·72 times higher among men aged 25-29 with class III obesity and 2·75 times among women aged 25-29 with class III obesity compared to those of healthy weight.

CONCLUSIONS

The detailed analysis describes the uneven distribution of burdens across BMI groups, age, and sex allowing policy makers to identify sub-populations for targeted interventions.

Associations between continuity of primary and specialty physician care and use of hospital-based care among community-dwelling older adults with complex care needs

Objective

While research suggests that higher continuity of primary and specialty physician care can improve patient outcomes, their effects have rarely been examined and compared concurrently. We investigated associations between continuity of primary and specialty physician care and emergency department visits and hospital admissions among community-dwelling older adults with complex care needs.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of home care patients in Ontario, Canada, from October 2014 to September 2016. We measured continuity of primary and specialty physician care over the two years prior to a home care assessment and categorized them into low, medium, and high groups using terciles of the distribution. We used Cox regression models to concurrently test the associations between continuity of primary and specialty care and risk of an emergency department visit and hospital admission within six months of assessment, controlling for potential confounders. We examined interactions between continuity of care and count of chronic conditions, count of physician specialties seen, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment.

Results

Of 178,686 participants, 49% had an emergency department visit during follow-up and 27% had a hospital admission. High vs. low continuity of primary care was associated with a reduced risk of an emergency department visit (HR = 0.90 (0.89–0.92)) as was continuity of specialty care (HR = 0.93 (0.91–0.95)). High vs. low continuity of primary care was associated also with a reduced risk of a hospital admission (HR = 0.94 (0.92–0.96)) as was continuity of specialty care (HR = 0.92 (0.90–0.94)). The effect of continuity of specialty care was moderately stronger among patients who saw four or more physician specialties.

Conclusion

Higher continuity of primary physician and specialty physician care had independent, protective effects of similar magnitude against emergency department use and hospital admissions. Improving continuity of specialty care should be a priority alongside improving continuity of primary care in complex, older adult populations with significant specialist use.

Symptom management strategies used by older community-dwelling people with multimorbidity and a high symptom burden - a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Older community-dwelling people with multimorbidity are often not only vulnerable, but also suffer from several conditions that could produce a multiplicity of symptoms. This results in a high symptom burden and a reduced health-related quality of life. Even though these individuals often have frequent contact with healthcare providers they are expected to manage both appropriate disease control and symptoms by themselves or with the support of caregivers. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the symptom management strategies used by older community-dwelling people with multimorbidity and a high symptom burden.

METHOD

A qualitative descriptive design using face-to-face interviews with 20 community-dwelling older people with multimorbidity, a high healthcare consumption and a high symptom burden. People ≥75 years, who had been hospitalized ≥3 times during the previous year, ≥ 3 diagnoses in their medical records and lived at home were included. The participants were between 79 and 89 years old. Data were analysed using content analyses.

RESULT

Two main strategy categories were found: active symptom management and passive symptom management. The active strategies include the subcategories; to plan, to distract, to get assistance and to use facilitating techniques. An active strategy meant that participants took matters in their own hands, they could often describe the source of the symptoms and they felt that they had the power to do something to ease their symptoms. A passive symptom management strategy includes the subcategories to give in and to endure. These subcategories often reflected an inability to describe the source of the symptoms as well as the experience of having no alternative other than passively waiting it out.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that older people with multimorbidity and a high symptom burden employ various symptom management strategies on daily basis. They had adopted appropriate strategies based on their own experience and knowledge. Healthcare professionals might facilitate daily life for older people with multimorbidity by providing guidance on active management strategies with focus on patient's own experience and preferences.

Prevalence of multimorbidity with frailty and associations with socioeconomic position in an adult population: findings from the cross-sectional HUNT Study in Norway

OBJECTIVES

To explore prevalences and occupational group inequalities of two measures of multimorbidity with frailty.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), Norway, a total county population health survey, 2006-2008.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants older than 25 years, with complete questionnaires, measurements and occupation data were included.

OUTCOMES

≥2 of 51 multimorbid conditions with ≥1 of 4 frailty measures (poor health, mental illness, physical impairment or social impairment) and ≥3 of 51 multimorbid conditions with ≥2 of 4 frailty measures.

ANALYSIS

Logistic regression models with age and occupational group were specified for each sex separately.

RESULTS

Of 41 193 adults, 38 027 (55% female; 25-100 years old) were included. Of them, 39% had ≥2 multimorbid conditions with ≥1 frailty measure, and 17% had ≥3 multimorbid conditions with ≥2 frailty measures. Prevalence differences in percentage points (pp) with 95% confidence intervals of those in high versus low occupational group with ≥2 multimorbid conditions and ≥1 frailty measure were largest in women age 30 years, 17 (14 to 20) pp and 55 years, 15 (13 to 17) pp and in men age 55 years, 15 (13 to 17) pp and 80 years, 14 (9 to 18) pp. In those with ≥3 multimorbid conditions and ≥2 frailty measures, prevalence differences were largest in women age 30 years, 8 (6 to 10) pp and 55 years, 10 (8 to 11) ppand in men age 55 years, 9 (8 to 11) pp and 80 years, 6 (95% CI 1 to 10) pp.

CONCLUSION

Multimorbidity with frailty is common, and social inequalities persist until age 80 years in women and throughout the lifespan in men. To manage complex multimorbidity, strategies for proportionate universalism in medical education, healthcare, public health prevention and promotion seem necessary.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of complex multimorbidity in a Norwegian population: findings from the cross-sectional HUNT Study

OBJECTIVES

Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of multiple long-term conditions, is common and increasing. Definitions and assessment methods vary, yielding differences in estimates of prevalence and multimorbidity severity. Sociodemographic characteristics are associated with complicating factors of multimorbidity. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of complex multimorbidity by sex and occupational groups throughout adulthood.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The third total county survey of The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), 2006-2008, Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 25-100 years with classifiable occupational data and complete questionnaires and measurements.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Complex multimorbidity defined as 'the co-occurrence of three or more chronic conditions affecting three or more different body (organ) systems within one person without defining an index chronic condition'.

ANALYSIS

Logistic regression models with age and occupational group were specified for each sex separately.

RESULTS

38 027 of 41 193 adults (55% women) were included in our analyses. 54% of the participants were identified as having complex multimorbidity. Prevalence differences in percentage points (pp) of those in the low occupational group (vs the high occupational group (reference)) were 19 (95% CI, 16 to 21) pp in women and 10 (8 to 13) pp in men at 30 years; 12 (10 to 14) pp in women and 13 (11 to 15) pp in men at 55 years; and 2 (-1 to 4) pp in women and 7 (4 to 10) pp in men at 75 years.

CONCLUSION

Complex multimorbidity is common from early adulthood, and social inequalities persist until 75 years in women and 90 years in men in the general population. These findings have policy implications for public health as well as healthcare, organisation, treatment, education and research, as complex multimorbidity breaks with the specialised, fragmented paradigm dominating medicine today.

Long-term digital device-enabled monitoring of functional status: Implications for management of persons with Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION

Informal caregiving is an essential element of health-care delivery. Little data describes how caregivers structure care recipients' lives and impact their functional status.

METHODS

We performed observational studies of community dwelling persons with dementia (PWD) to measure functional status by simultaneous assessment of physical activity (PA) and lifespace (LS). We present data from two caregiver/care-recipient dyads representing higher and average degrees of caregiver involvement.

RESULTS

We acquired >42,800 (subject 1); >41,300 (subject 2) PA data points and >154,500 (subject 1); >119,700 (subject 2) LS data points over 15 months of near continuous observation. PA and LS patterns provided insights into the caregiver's role in structuring the PWD's day-to-day function and change in function over time.

DISCUSSION

We show that device-enabled functional monitoring (FM) can successfully gather and display data at resolutions required for dementia care studies. Objective quantification of individual caregiver/care-recipient dyads provides opportunities to implement patient-centered care.

Person-centred and efficient care delivery for high-need, high-cost patients: primary care professionals' experiences

Background

High-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients, who typically have complex and long-term care demands, contribute considerably to the high work pressure of primary care professionals (PCPs). To improve patient as well as provider experiences, it is crucial to take into account the PCPs’ perspective in designing health care strategies for HNHC patients. Therefore, this study aimed to create insight into PCPs’ experienced barriers and possible solutions with regards to person-centred, efficient care delivery to HNHC patients.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study using focus group interviews with PCPs at a Dutch primary care group. A semi-structured interview guide was developed for the interviews. Qualitative content analysis was employed deductively by means of a categorisation matrix. The matrix was based on the components retrieved from the SELFIE framework for integrated care for multi-morbidity.

Results

Forty-two PCPs participated in five focus group interviews. Discussed barriers and solutions were related to the core of the SELFIE framework (i.e. the individual and environment), and particularly four of the six health system components in the framework: service delivery, leadership & governance, workforce, and technologies & medical products. Many discussed barriers revolved around the complex biopsychosocial needs of HNHC patients: PCPs reported a lack of time (service delivery), insufficiently skilled PCPs (workforce), and inefficient patient information retrieval and sharing (technologies & medical products) as barriers to adequately meet the biopsychosocial needs of HNHC patients.

Conclusions

This qualitative study suggests that primary care is currently insufficiently equipped to accommodate the complex biopsychosocial needs of HNHC patients. Therefore, it is firstly important to strengthen primary care internally, taking into account the experienced lack of time, the insufficient number of equipped PCPs and lack of inter-professional information retrieval and sharing. Secondly, PCPs should be supported in cooperating and communicating more efficiently with health services outside primary care to adequately deliver person-centred, efficient care. As a prerequisite, it is crucial to direct policy efforts at the design of a strong system of social and community services. In terms of future research, it is important to assess the feasibility and effects of re-designing primary care based on the provided recommendations.

Towards an understanding of the burdens of medication management affecting older people: the MEMORABLE realist synthesis

BACKGROUND

More older people are living in the community with multiple diagnoses and medications. Managing multiple medications produces issues of unrivalled complexity for those involved. Despite increasing literature on the subject, gaps remain in understanding how, why and for whom complex medication management works, and therefore how best to improve practice and outcomes. MEMORABLE, MEdication Management in Older people: Realist Approaches Based on Literature and Evaluation, aimed to address these gaps.

METHODS

MEMORABLE used realism to understand causal paths within medication management. Informed by RAMESES (Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: and Evolving Standards) guidelines, MEMORABLE involved three overlapping work packages: 1) Realist Review of the literature (24 articles on medication management exploring causality); 2) Realist Evaluation (50 realist-informed interviews with older people, family carers and health and care practitioners, explaining their experiences); and 3) data synthesis and theorising from 1) and 2).

RESULTS

Medication management was viewed from the perspective of 'implementation' and structured into five stages: identifying a problem (Stage 1), getting a diagnosis and/or medications (Stage 2), starting, changing or stopping medications (Stage 3), continuing to take medications (Stage 4), and reviewing/reconciling medications (Stage 5). Three individual stages (1, 3 and 4) are conducted by the older person sometimes with family carer support when they balance routines, coping and risk. Stages 2 and 5 are interpersonal where the older person works with a practitioner-prescriber-reviewer, perhaps with carer involvement. Applying Normalisation Process Theory, four steps were identified within each stage: 1) sense making: information, clarification; 2) action: shared-decision-making; 3) reflection/monitoring; and 4) enduring relationships, based on collaboration and mutual trust. In a detailed analysis of Stage 5: Reviewing/reconciling medications, adopting the lens of 'burden', MEMORABLE identified five burdens amenable to mitigation: ambiguity, concealment, unfamiliarity, fragmentation and exclusion. Two initial improvement propositions were identified for further research: a risk screening tool and individualised information.

CONCLUSIONS

Older people and family carers often find medication management challenging and burdensome particularly for complex regimens. Practitioners need to be aware of this potential challenge, and work with older people and their carers to minimise the burden associated with medication management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2016:CRD42016043506.

Medication management in older people: the MEMORABLE realist synthesis

Background

The number and proportion of older people in the UK are increasing, as are multimorbidity (potentially reducing quality of life) and polypharmacy (increasing the risk of adverse drug events). Together, these complex factors are challenging for older people, informal carers, and health and care practitioners.

Objectives

MEMORABLE (MEdication Management in Older people: Realist Approaches Based on Literature and Evaluation) aimed to understand how medication management works and propose improvements.

Design

A realist approach informed three work packages, combining a realist review of secondary data with a realist evaluation of primary interview data, in a theory-driven, causal analysis.

Setting

The setting was in the community.

Participants

Older people, informal carers, and health and care practitioners.

Interventions

Studies relating to medication management and to reviewing and reconciling medications; and realist-informed interviews.

Main outcome measures

Not applicable.

Data sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and EMBASE were searched (all searched from January 2009 to July 2017; searched on 1 August 2017). Supplementary articles were identified by the Research Team. Data were also obtained through interviews.

Review methods

Searches of electronic databases were supplemented by citation-tracking for explanatory contributions, as well as accessing topic-relevant grey literature. Following RAMESES (Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) guidelines, articles were screened and iteratively analysed with interview data, to generate theory-informed (normalisation process theory) explanations.

Results

Developing a framework to explain medication management as a complex intervention across five stages: identifying problem (Stage 1), starting, changing or stopping medications (Stage 3) and continuing to take medications (Stage 4), where older people, sometimes with informal carers, make individual decisions and follow routines that fit medication management into their day-to-day lives, engendering a sense of control. In getting diagnosis and/or medications (Stage 2) and reviewing/reconciling medications (Stage 5), older people and practitioners share decision-making in time-limited contacts: involving four steps – sense-making, relationships, action and reflection/monitoring (normalisation process theory); and conceptualising burden – through a detailed analysis of Stage 5, generating a theoretical framework and identifying five burden types amendable to mitigation: ambiguity, concealment, unfamiliarity, fragmentation and exclusion. Proposing interventions: risk identification – a simple way of identifying older people and informal carers who are not coping, at risk and who need appropriate help and support; and individualised information – a short, personalised record and reference point, co-produced and shared by older people, informal carers and practitioners that addresses the experience of living with multimorbidities and polypharmacy.

Limitations

Few studies directly address the complexity of medication management as a process and how it works. Limitations included, having identified the overall complexity, the need to focus the analysis on reviewing/reconciling medications (Stage 5), the exclusion of non-English-language literature, the focus on non-institutionalised populations and the broad definition of older people.

Conclusions

MEMORABLE explored the complexity of medication management. It highlighted the way interpersonal stages in the medication management process, notably reviewing/reconciling medications, contribute to the mitigation of burdens that are often hidden.

Future work

Co-produced studies to scope and trial the two proposed interventions; studies to extend the detailed understanding of medication management, linked to burden mitigation; and a study to clarify the medication management outcomes wanted by older people, informal carers and practitioners.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016043506.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 26. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Prescribing and medical non-adherence after myocardial infarction: qualitative interviews with general practitioners in Germany

BACKGROUND

An increasing prevalence of having survived a myocardial infarction increases the importance of medical secondary prevention. Although preventive medication reduces mortality, prescribing and adherence are known to be frequently insufficient. General practitioners are the most important prescriber. However, their perspective on prescribing and medical non-adherence following myocardial infarction has not yet been explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the general practitioners' perspective on long-term care after myocardial infarction focussing on medical prevention.

METHODS

In this qualitative interview study we conducted episodic interviews with sixteen general practitioners from rural and urban surgeries in Germany. Framework analysis with focus on general practitioners' prescribing and patients' non-adherence was performed.

RESULTS

Almost all general practitioners reported following guidelines for myocardial infarction aftercare and prescribing the medication that was initiated in the hospital; however, they described deviating from guidelines because of drugs' side effects or patients' intolerances. Some questioned the benefits of medical secondary prevention for the oldest of patients. General practitioners perceived good adherence among their patients who had had an MI while they regarded their methods for assessing medical non-adherence as limited. They perceived diverse reasons for non-adherence, particularly side effects, patients' freedom from symptoms and patients' indifference to health. They attributed mainly negative characteristics, like lack of knowledge and understanding, to non-adherent patients. These characteristics contribute to the difficulty of convincing these patients to take medications as prescribed. General practitioners improved adherence by preventing side effects, explaining the medication's necessity, facilitating intake and involving patients in decision-making. However, about half of the general practitioners reported threatening their patients with negative consequences of non-adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

General practitioners should be aware that discharge medication can be insufficient and thus, should always check hospital recommendations for accordance with guideline recommendations. Improving physicians' communication skills and informing and motivating patients in an adequate manner, for example in simple language, should be an important goal in the hospital and the general practitioner setting. General practitioners should assess patients' motivations through motivational interviewing, which no general practitioner mentioned during the interviews, and talk with them about adherence and long-term treatment goals regularly.

Implications of multimorbidity on healthcare utilisation and work productivity by socioeconomic groups: Cross-sectional analyses of Australia and Japan

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity, the presence of 2 or more non-communicable diseases (NCDs), is a major contributor to inequalities of health in Australia and Japan. We use nationally representative data to examine (i) the relationships between multimorbidity with healthcare utilisation and productivity loss and (ii) whether these relationships differed by socioeconomic groups.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analyses using the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) and the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) surveys. We examined 6,382 (HILDA) and 3,503 (JSTAR) adults aged ≥50 years. We applied multivariable regression, logistic and negative binomial models.

RESULTS

Prevalence of multimorbidity was overall 38.6% (46.0%, 36.1%, 28.9% amongst those in the lowest, middle and highest education group, respectively) in Australia, and 28.4% (33.9%, 24.6%, 16.6% amongst those in the lowest, middle and highest education group, respectively) in Japan. In Australia and Japan, more NCDs was associated with greater healthcare utilisation. In Australia and Japan, more NCDs was associated with higher mean number of sick leave days amongst the employed and lower odds of being employed despite being in the labour force. The association between multimorbidity and lower retirement age was found in Australia only.

CONCLUSION

Having more NCDs pose significant economic burden to the health system and wider society in Australia and Japan. Targeted policies are critical to improve financial protection, especially for lower income groups who are more likely to have multiple NCDs. These individuals incur both high direct and indirect costs, which lead to a greater risk of impoverishment.

Difficulties that patients with chronic diseases face in the primary care setting in Singapore: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic diseases face difficulties when navigating the healthcare system. Using the Healthcare System Hassles Questionnaire (HSHQ) developed by Parchman et al, this study aimed to explore the degree of hassles faced by primary care patients in Singapore and identify the characteristics associated with higher hassles.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with chronic disease at Hougang Polyclinic, Singapore, using interviewer-administered HSHQ. Mean HSHQ score was compared with Parchman et al's study. The associations between number of chronic diseases, demographic variables and healthcare hassles were assessed using multivariate linear logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

217 outpatients aged 21 years and above were enrolled. Our overall mean HSHQ score (4.77 ± 6.18) was significantly lower than that in Parchman et al's study (15.94 ± 14.23, p < 0.001). Participants with five or more chronic diseases scored 3.38 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-6.65, p = 0.043) points higher than those with one chronic disease. With each increasing year of age, mean HSHQ score decreased by 0.17 (95% CI -0.26 to -0.08, p = 0.001) points. Those with polytechnic/diploma/university education and higher scored 2.65 (95% CI 0.19-5.11, p = 0.035) points higher than those with primary education and lower.

CONCLUSION

Patients in our population reported lower hassles than those in Parchman et al's study. Increasing age and lower education level were associated with lower hassles. Further analysis of the types of chronic diseases may yield new information about the association of healthcare hassles with the number and types of chronic diseases.

Comorbidity phenotypes and risk of mortality in patients with ischaemic heart disease in the UK

Objectives

The objective of this study is to use latent class analysis of up to 20 comorbidities in patients with a diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) to identify clusters of comorbidities and to examine the associations between these clusters and mortality.

Methods

Longitudinal analysis of electronic health records in the health improvement network (THIN), a UK primary care database including 92 186 men and women aged ≥18 years with IHD and a median of 2 (IQR 1–3) comorbidities.

Results

Latent class analysis revealed five clusters with half categorised as a low-burden comorbidity group. After a median follow-up of 3.2 (IQR 1.4–5.8) years, 17 645 patients died. Compared with the low-burden comorbidity group, two groups of patients with a high-burden of comorbidities had the highest adjusted HR for mortality: those with vascular and musculoskeletal conditions, HR 2.38 (95% CI 2.28 to 2.49) and those with respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions, HR 2.62 (95% CI 2.45 to 2.79). Hazards of mortality in two other groups of patients characterised by cardiometabolic and mental health comorbidities were also higher than the low-burden comorbidity group; HR 1.46 (95% CI 1.39 to 1.52) and 1.55 (95% CI 1.46 to 1.64), respectively.

Conclusions

This analysis has identified five distinct comorbidity clusters in patients with IHD that were differentially associated with risk of mortality. These analyses should be replicated in other large datasets, and this may help shape the development of future interventions or health services that take into account the impact of these comorbidity clusters.

Characteristics, service use and mortality of clusters of multimorbid patients in England: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity is associated with mortality and service use, with specific types of multimorbidity having differential effects. Additionally, multimorbidity is often negatively associated with participation in research cohorts. Therefore, we set out to identify clusters of multimorbidity patients and how they are differentially associated with mortality and service use across age groups in a population-representative sample.

METHODS

Linked primary and secondary care electronic health records contributed by 382 general practices in England to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) were used. The study included a representative set of multimorbid adults (18 years old or more, N = 113,211) with two or more long-term conditions (a total of 38 conditions were included). A random set of 80% of the multimorbid patients (N = 90,571) were stratified by age groups and clustered using latent class analysis. Consistency between obtained multimorbidity phenotypes, classification quality and associations with demographic characteristics and primary outcomes (GP consultations, hospitalisations, regular medications and mortality) was validated in the remaining 20% of multimorbid patients (N = 22,640).

RESULTS

We identified 20 patient clusters across four age strata. The clusters with the highest mortality comprised psychoactive substance and alcohol misuse (aged 18-64); coronary heart disease, depression and pain (aged 65-84); and coronary heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation (aged 85+). The clusters with the highest service use coincided with those with the highest mortality for people aged over 65. For people aged 18-64, the cluster with the highest service use comprised depression, anxiety and pain. The majority of 85+-year-old multimorbid patients belonged to the cluster with the lowest service use and mortality for that age range. Pain featured in 13 clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

This work has highlighted patterns of multimorbidity that have implications for health services. These include the importance of psychoactive substance and alcohol misuse in people under the age of 65, of co-morbid depression and coronary heart disease in people aged 65-84 and of cardiovascular disease in people aged 85+.

Barriers and enablers to detection and management of chronic kidney disease in primary healthcare: a systematic review

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing population health concern worldwide, and with early identification and effective management, kidney disease progression can be slowed or prevented. Most patients with risk factors for chronic kidney disease are treated within primary healthcare. Therefore, it is important to understand how best to support primary care providers (PC-P) to detect and manage chronic kidney disease. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate barriers and enablers to the diagnosis and management of CKD in primary care.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative research on the barriers and/or enablers to detection and/or management of CKD in adults within primary healthcare was conducted. The databases Medline (EBSCO), PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL (EBSCO) and Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Based Practice (Ovid) were searched until 27th August 2019. Barriers and/or enablers reported in each study were identified, classified into themes, and categorised according to the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

A total of 20 studies were included in this review. The most commonly reported barriers related to detection and management of CKD in primary care were categorised into the ‘Environmental context and resources’ domain (n = 16 studies). Overall, the most common barrier identified was a lack of time (n = 13 studies), followed by a fear of delivering a diagnosis of CKD, and dissatisfaction with CKD guidelines (both n = 10 studies). Overall, the most common enabler identified was the presence of supportive technology to identify and manage CKD (n = 7 studies), followed by the presence of a collaborative relationship between members of the healthcare team (n = 5 studies).

Conclusion

This systematic review identified a number of barriers and enablers which PC-P face when identifying and managing CKD. The findings of this review suggest a need for time-efficient strategies that promote collaboration between members of the healthcare team, and practice guidelines which consider the frequently co-morbid nature of CKD. Enhanced collaboration between PC-P and nephrology services may also support PC-Ps when diagnosing CKD in primary care, and facilitate improved patient self-management.

Factors Associated with Life Satisfaction in Older Adults with Chronic Pain (PainS65+)

Background

Chronic pain in later life is a worldwide problem. In younger patients, chronic pain affects life satisfaction negatively; however, it is unknown whether this outcome will extend into old age.

Objective

This study examines which factors determine life satisfaction in older adults who suffer from chronic pain with respect to socio-demographics, lifestyle behaviors, pain, and comorbidities.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited a random sample of people ≥65 years old living in south-eastern Sweden (N= 6611). A postal survey addressed pain aspects and health experiences. Three domains from the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) were used to capture the individual’s estimations of overall satisfaction (LiSat-life), somatic health (LiSat-somhealth), and psychological health (LiSat-psychhealth).

Results

Respondents with chronic pain (2790, 76.2±7.4 years old) rated lower on life satisfaction than those without chronic pain, with medium effect size (ES) on LiSat-somhealth (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and small ES on the other two domains (r < 0.3). Among the respondents with chronic pain, severe pain (OR 0.29–0.59) and pain spreading (OR 0.87–0.95) were inversely associated with all three domains of the LiSat-11. Current smoking, alcohol overconsumption, and obesity negatively affected one or more domains of the LiSat-11. Most comorbidities were negatively related to LiSat-somhealth, and some comorbidities affected the other two domains. For example, having tumour or cancer negatively affected both LiSat-life (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44–0.88) and LiSat-somhealth (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24–0.74). Anxiety or depression disorders had a negative relationship both for LiSat-life (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.78) and LiSat-psychhealth (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.06–0.14).

Conclusion

Older adults with chronic pain reported lower life satisfaction but the difference from their peers without chronic pain was trivial, except for satisfaction with somatic health. Pain management in old age needs to consider comorbidities and severe pain to improve patients’ life satisfaction.

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Cohort profile: The prospective study on Chinese elderly with multimorbidity in primary care in Hong Kong

PURPOSE

This is an ongoing prospective cohort aiming to examine the biopsychosocial health profiles and predictors of health outcomes of older patients with multimorbidity in primary care in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

From April 2016 to October 2017, 1077 patients aged 60+ years with at least two chronic diseases were recruited in four public primary care clinics in the New Territories East Region of Hong Kong.

FINDINGS TO DATE

After weighting, the patients had 4.1 (1.8) chronic conditions and 2.5 (1.9) medications on average; 37% forgot taking medication sometimes; 71% rated their health as fair or poor; 17% were frail; 73% reported one (21%) or two or more (52%) body pain areas; 62% were overweight/obese; 23% reported chewing difficulty, 18% reported incontinence; 36% had current stage 1/2 hypertension; 38% had handgrip strength below the cut-off; 10% screened positive in sarcopenia; 17% had mild or severer cognitive impairment; 17% had mild to severe depression; 16% had mild to severe anxiety; 50% had subthreshold to severe insomnia; 28% indicated being lonely; 12% needed help in at least one out of the five daily functions and the EuroQoL-5-Dimensions-5-Level index score was 0.81 (0.20) and its Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was 67.6 (14.6). In the past 12 months, 17% were hospitalised, 92% attended general outpatient clinics, 70% attended specialist outpatient clinics and 10% used elderly daycare centre services, the median out-of-pocket health cost was HK$1000 (US$150). Female and male patients showed significant differences in many biopsychosocial health aspects.

FUTURE PLANS

With assessments and clinical data, the cohort can be used for understanding longitudinal trajectories of biopsychosocial health profiles of Chinese older patients with multimorbidity in primary care. We are also initially planning cohort studies on factors associated with various health outcomes, as well as quality of life and healthcare use.

COHORT REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-OIC-16008477.

Anticipatory care planning intervention for older adults at risk of functional decline: study protocol for a primary care cluster feasibility randomised trial

BACKGROUND

The treatment and management of long-term health conditions is the greatest challenge facing health systems around the world today. Innovative approaches to patient care in the community such as Anticipatory Care Planning (ACP), which seek to help with the provision of high-quality comprehensive care to older adults at risk of functional decline, require evaluation. This study will evaluate one approach that will include primary care as the setting for ACP.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study will help to determine the feasibility for a definitive randomised trial to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an ACP intervention. The intervention will be delivered by specially trained registered nurses in a primary care setting with older adults identified as at risk of functional decline. The intervention will comprise: (a) information collection via patient assessment; (b) facilitated informed dialogue between the patient, family carer, general practitioner and other healthcare practitioners; and, (c) documentation of the agreed support plan and follow-up review dates. Through a structured consultation with patients and their family carers, the nurses will complete a mutually agreed personalised support plan.

DISCUSSION

This study will determine the feasibility for a full trial protocol to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an (ACP) intervention in primary care to assist older adults aged 70 years of age or older and assessed as being at risk of functional decline. The study will be implemented in two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland which employ different health systems but which face similar health challenges. This study will allow us to examine important issues, such as the impact of two different healthcare systems on the health of older people and the influence of different legislative interpretations on undertaking cross jurisdictional research in Ireland.

PROTOCOL VERSION

Version 1, 17 September 2019.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT03902743. Registered on 4 April 2019.

Adherence and acceptance of a home-based telemonitoring application used by multi-morbid patients aged 65 years and older

Introduction

Currently, there are only a small number of comprehensive study results on adherence and acceptance of telemonitoring applications (TMAs) regarding multi-morbid older patients. The ATMoSPHAERE study aimed to develop an information and communication platform for an intersectoral networking of, for example, general practitioners, therapists, social services and the multi-morbid older patient.

Methods

The study presented was designed as a longitudinal bicentric intervention study which focused on multi-morbid patients aged ≥65 years using home-based telemedical measurement and input devices. The development and testing of this TMA aimed to optimise patients’ health care through intersectoral networking of all treating actors. Quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used.

Results

Patients who completed the study were significantly younger than drop-outs and non-participants. The mental health of study patients significantly improved between the beginning and end of TMA use. The main reason for non-participation in the study was the high time expenditure when participating in the study. No perceived (information) benefits for health and insufficient content variety were the main reasons for drop-out. Appropriateness and handling of TMAs must be aligned with the needs of the heterogeneous user group of multi-morbid patients in order to increase acceptance and the added value of TMAs. Telemonitoring hardware should be oriented on functional capabilities of the older target group. Telemonitoring software content requires an individual, disease-specific approach for patients. The TMA should be unobtrusively integrated into usual daily life and be used to an appropriate extent according to the underlying disease in order to avoid stressing patients. With regard to adherence concerning TMAs, it is crucial to provide a contact person who is always available for patients having problems handling TMAs. Health concerns and questions can thus be addressed early, providing a feeling of safety in the care process.

Discussion

User acceptance of TMAs is an essential indicator and driver for use and for future implementation efforts in health care. In order to achieve maximum user centricity in development processes, patients must be involved as experts, co-designers and future users, considering their needs and perceptions.

Self-reported medication in community-dwelling older adults in Germany: results from the Berlin Initiative Study

Background

Older adults have the highest drug utilization due to multimorbidity. Although the number of people over age 70 is expected to double within the next decades, population-based data on their medication patterns are scarce especially in combination with polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). Our objective was to analyse the frequency of polypharmacy, pattern of prescription (PD) and over-the-counter (OTC) drug usage, and PIMs according to age and gender in a population-based cohort of very old adults in Germany.

Methods

Cross-sectional baseline data of the Berlin Initiative Study, a prospective cohort study of community-dwelling adults aged ≥70 years with a standardized interview including demographics, lifestyle variables, co-morbidities, and medication assessment were analysed. Medication data were coded using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Age- and sex-standardized descriptive analysis of polypharmacy (≥5 drugs, PD and OTC vs. PD only and regular and on demand drugs vs regular only), medication frequency and distribution, including PIMs, was performed by age (</≥80) and gender.

Results

Of 2069 participants with an average age of 79.5 years, 97% (95%CI [96%;98%]) took at least one drug and on average 6.2 drugs (SD = 3.5) with about 40 to 66% fulfilling the criteria of polypharmacy depending on the definition. Regarding drug type more female participants took a combination of PD and OTC (male: 68%, 95%CI [65%;72%]); female: 78%, 95%CI [76%;80%]). Most frequently used were drugs for cardiovascular diseases (85%, 95%CI [83%;86%]). Medication frequency increased among participants aged ≥80 years, especially for cardiovascular drugs, antithrombotics, psychoanaleptics and dietary supplements. Among the top ten prescription drugs were mainly cardiovascular drugs including lipid-lowering agents (simvastatin), beta-blockers (metoprolol, bisoprolol) and ACE inhibitors (ramipril). The most common OTC drug was acetylsalicylic acid (35%; 95%CI [33%;37%])). Dose-independent PIM were identified for 15% of the participants.

Conclusions

Polypharmacy was excessive in older adults, with not only PD but also OTC drugs contributing to the high point prevalence. The medication patterns reflected the treatment of chronic diseases in this age group. There was even an increase in medication frequency between below and above 80 years especially for drugs of cardiovascular diseases, antithrombotic medication, psychoanaleptics, and dietary supplements.

Racial-ethnic disparities in self-reported health status among US adults adjusted for sociodemographics and multimorbidities, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014

Objective: To investigate racial-ethnic disparities in self-reported health status adjusting for sociodemographic factors and multimorbidities.Design: A total of 9499 adult participants aged 20 years and older from the United States (US); reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey - for years 2011-2014. The main outcome measure was self-reported health status categorized as excellent/very good, good (moderate), and fair/poor.Results: Of the NHANES participants, 40.7% reported excellent/very good health, 37.2% moderate health and 22.1% fair/poor health. There were 42.8% who were non-Hispanic whites, 20.2% were Hispanic, 23.8% were non-Hispanic blacks, and 13.2% were non-Hispanic Asians. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics [Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.91, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.28-3.71] and non-Hispanic blacks [OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.26-1.83] were more likely to report fair/poor health, whereas, non-Hispanic Asians [OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.14-1.76] were more likely to report moderate health than excellent/very good health. Compared to those with no chronic conditions, participants with two or three chronic conditions [OR = 9.35, 95% CI = 7.26-12.00] and with four or more chronic conditions [OR = 38.10, 95% CI = 26.50-54.90] were more likely to report fair/poor health than excellent/very good health status.Conclusion: The racial-ethnic differences in self-reported health persisted even after adjusting for sociodemographics and number of multimorbidities. The findings highlight the potential importance of self-reported health status and the need to increase health awareness through health assessment and health-promotional programs among the vulnerable minority US adults.

Identifying subgroups of persons with multimorbidity based on their needs for care and support

Background

There is broad consensus that countries need to develop and implement person-centred integrated care to better meet the needs of their growing populations with multimorbidity. To develop appropriate care, it is essential to know the needs for care and support among these populations. For this purpose, we examined whether subgroups of people with multimorbidity could be distinguished based on their needs, and profiled these subgroups according to medical complexity and the availability of personal resources.

Methods

Persons diagnosed with two or more somatic chronic diseases (N = 613) were selected from 38 general practices throughout the Netherlands. We conducted a cluster analysis of their scores on the RAND-36 questionnaire of health-related quality of life (QoL), to gain insight in their needs for care and support. Differences in demographics, medical characteristics and personal resources between the identified clusters were tested using analysis of variance and chi-square tests.

Results

The cluster analysis revealed three subgroups: 1. a group with a relatively good QoL (48% of the sample), 2. a group with a poor physical QoL (28%), and 3. a group with a poor QoL in all domains assessed by the RAND-36 (24%). The group with a relatively good QoL had more favourable medical characteristics than the other groups, i.e., less chronic diseases, shorter illness duration, more stable course of illness, better controllable conditions, less polypharmacy. The group with a poor QoL in all domains could rely on less personal resources (education, income, social support, health literacy, self-management capabilities) than the other groups.

Conclusions

Different subgroups of people with multimorbidity can be distinguished based on their needs for care and support. These needs are not only determined by demographic and medical characteristics, but also by the personal resources people have available to manage their health and care. Patient profiles combining medical complexity and personal resources could guide the development of integrated care for specific target groups of persons with multimorbidity.

Development and Implementation of a Nurse-Led Model of Care Coordination to Provide Health-Sector Continuity of Care for People With Multimorbidity: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Background

Innovative strategies are required to reduce care fragmentation for people with multimorbidity. Coordinated models of health care delivery need to be adopted to deliver consumer-centered continuity of care. Nurse-led services have emerged over the past 20 years as evidence-based structured models of care delivery, providing a range of positive and coordinated health care outcomes. Although nurse-led services are effective in a range of clinical settings, strategies to improve continuity of care across the secondary and primary health care sectors for people with multimorbidity have not been examined.

Objective

To implement a nurse-led model of care coordination from a multidisciplinary outpatient setting and provide continuity of care between the secondary and primary health care sectors for people with multimorbidity.

Methods

This action research mixed methods study will have two phases. Phase 1 includes a systematic review, stakeholder forums, and validation workshop to collaboratively develop a model of care for a nurse-led care coordination service. Phase 2, through a series of iterative action research cycles, will implement a nurse-led model of care coordination in a multidisciplinary outpatient setting. Three to five iterative action research cycles will allow the model to be refined and further developed with multiple data collection points throughout.

Results

Pilot implementation of the model of care coordination commenced in October 2018. Formal study recruitment commenced in May 2019 and the intervention and follow-up phases are ongoing. The results of the data analysis are expected to be available by March 2020.

Conclusions

Nursing, clinician, and patient outcomes and experiences with the nurse-led model of care coordination will provide a template to improve continuity of care between the secondary and primary health care systems. The model template may provide a future pathway for implementation of nurse-led services both nationally and internationally.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/15006

GP-Led Deprescribing in Community-Living Older Australians: An Exploratory Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a multifaceted general practitioner (GP) led intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate polypharmacy in community-living older people.

DESIGN

Pragmatic, controlled, pre-post design.

SETTING

Five general practices in southeast Queensland, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten GPs from three practices, two pharmacists, and 78 patients comprised the intervention group, and 10 GPs from two practices and 67 patients comprised the usual care group. Patients were aged 65 years or older, receiving five or more regularly prescribed medicines, and capable of participating in telephone interviews in English.

INTERVENTION

A 5-hour interactive deprescribing training workshop for clinicians; an extended deprescribing consultation between GPs and enrolled patients, entailing a comprehensive review of their medicines using a standardized software template codesigned by GPs; and comprehensive medicine review by a pharmacist, at the GP's discretion.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was mean difference in number of regular medicines deprescribed (ie, ceased or dose reduced) per patient over an 18-week follow-up period. Medicine-specific and patient-reported outcomes, safety, and process measures were also evaluated.

RESULTS

At study completion, mean (SD) number of regular medicines deprescribed per patient was 0.99 (1.23) in the intervention group vs 0.43 (0.84) in the usual care group, equaling a mean difference of 0.55 (95% confidence interval = -0.90 to -0.21; P = .002). Crude totals showed 77 of 649 (11.9%) vs 29 of 571 (5.1%) regular medicines deprescribed in intervention and usual care groups, respectively (P < .001). Supplements, gastric acid suppressants, statins, oral hypoglycemics, and diuretics were medicine classes more frequently deprescribed. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in numbers of medicines commenced, self-reported unplanned hospitalizations, or worsened health-related quality of life. A subset of intervention patients reported greater certainty in the necessity and appropriateness of their medicines at study end.

CONCLUSION

The deprescribing intervention appears feasible, was modestly effective, and was not associated with any major safety events. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:403-410, 2020.

Shared decision making: A dual-layer model to tackling multimorbidity in primary care

It is common for primary care providers (PCPs) to manage complex multimorbidity. When caring for patients with multimorbidity, PCPs face challenges to tackle several issues within a short consultation in order to address patients' complex needs. Furthermore, some PCPs may lack access to a multidisciplinary team and need to manage multimorbidity within the confine of a PCP-patient partnership only. Instead of attempting to address multiple health issues within a single consultation, it would be more feasible and time effective for PCPs and patients to jointly prioritize the health issue to focus on. Using the Malaysian primary care setting as a case study, a dual-layer-shared decision-making approach is proposed whereby PCPs and patients make decisions on which disease(s) (layer 1) and treatment(s) (layer 2) to prioritize. This dual-layer model aims to address the challenges of short consultation time and limited healthcare resources by encouraging PCPs and patients to discuss, negotiate, and agree on the decision during the consultation to ensure patients' health needs are addressed.

Prevalence of multimorbidity among Bangladeshi adult population: a nationwide cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report prevalence and evaluate the association between multimorbidity and associated risk factors in the adult population of Bangladesh.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage clustered random sampling strategy.

SETTING

The study was conducted among the general population of 58 districts in Bangladesh.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 12 338 male and female individuals aged ≥35 were included for analysis in this study. Identified through a household listing conducted prior to the study, from 15 297 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria, 12 338 participants were included based on availability during data collection, consent and health condition.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Multimorbidity in terms of hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RESULTS

Approximately 8.4% (95% CI 7.0 to 9.7) of individuals suffer from multimorbidity, of which hypertension accounted for (30.1%) followed by diabetes (10.6%). The mean age of the population was 58.6 (SD ±9.2) years. The prevalence of multimorbidity was lower among men (7.7%) compared with women (8.9%). The likelihood of having multimorbidity among obese individuals were more than double than people with normal body mass index (BMI). Physical activity protected individuals from developing multimorbidity: however, the physical activity adjusted OR was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.2). After adjusting for all covariates, higher age, higher educational status, economic status, and higher BMI were found to be significantly associated with the odds of developing multimorbidity, with an overall adjusted OR of 0.02 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.02).

CONCLUSION

This study reported a high prevalence of multimorbidity in Bangladesh, although it explored the burden and identified risk factors considering only six chronic diseases. Further detailed exploration through longitudinal studies considering a wider range of diseases is needed to document the actual burden, develop effective preventive measures and clinical guidelines to improve the quality of life of the population.

Prevalence of Frailty and its Association with Cognitive Status and Functional Fitness among Ambulating Older Adults Residing in Institutions within West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

AIM

There is limited information about the association between frailty, cognitive status and functional fitness in older adults living in institutions. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its association with cognitive status and functional fitness among pre-frail and frail Malaysian older adults residing in institutions on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

METHODS

This study included 302 ambulating Malaysian institutionalised older adults. Frailty was identified using Fried's frailty criteria. Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness test. The association between frailty groups, cognitive status and functional fitness was analysed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Prevalence of frailty, prefrailty and robustness in the older adults was 56.6%, 40.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Frailty was found to be associated with hypertension (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.11-4.16, p = 0.024), lower cognitive status (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination) (OR 0.98, 95% C.I: 0.96-0.99, p = 0.038), and lower dynamic balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go test) (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16, p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Frailty is highly prevalent among Malaysian institutionalised older adults. Hypertension, cognitive impairment and lower dynamic balance and mobility were found to be risk factors of frailty. Screening of frailty and its associated factors should be prioritized among institutionalised older adults in view of early prevention and rehabilitation.

Measuring the impact of chronic conditions and associated multimorbidity on health-related quality of life in the general population in Hong Kong SAR, China: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

The aims of this study were to 1) evaluate the impact of eight common chronic conditions and multimorbidity on preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and 2) estimate the minimally important difference (MID) in the general population of Hong Kong (HK).

Design

Data were analyzed using secondary data analysis based on a cross-sectional, population-based validation study of HK’s general population.

Participants

A representative sample was recruited across eighteen geographical districts in HK, and 1,014 HK Chinese residents aged 18 years and older participated in the survey. The prevalence of chronic conditions among the respondents was 30.3%.

Interventions

The HRQoL was assessed using the locally validated version of EQ-5D-5L. The five-dimension descriptive system, and the utility scores of EQ-5D-5L were used as the dependent variable in the study. Eight common chronic conditions, multimorbidity, and demographic characteristics were defined as predictors in the analysis. Chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), logistic regression, and Tobit regression models were used to analyze the data. A simulation-based approach was used to calculate the MID based on instrument-defined single level transitions.

Results

The findings indicated that respondents with physical disabilities were more likely to report problems on all five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L than those with other chronic conditions. In addition, respondents with multiple chronic conditions were more likely to report health problems and lower utility scores of EQ-5D-5L. The mean of MID estimates among the respondents in HK was 0.093 (standard deviation = 0.001), which is higher than in other Asian countries.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that having more chronic conditions is strongly associated with a lower HRQoL. Healthcare reforms to address foreseeable challenges arising as more patients live with chronic conditions and multimorbidity could improve the HRQoL of HK citizens.

Structured Data Acquisition in Oncology

BACKGROUND

Demographic changes and improvement in therapy have shifted the focus of treatment towards chronic diseases and multiple health conditions. This has caused a tremendous increase in data per patient that needs to be integrated longitudinally and across departmental silos. The general increase in the volume of data per diagnostic examination and the number of diagnostic procedures per diagnostic pathway additionally accentuate this data integration challenge.

SUMMARY

Subspecialization in medicine has led to largely autonomously organized departments with in-dependent IT ecosystems. This patchwork of IT infrastructure is not prepared to meet the data integration challenge. The resulting lack of integrated information makes the treatment of chronically ill patients increasingly difficult and error prone. Key Message: A sustainable method for data ac-quisition is needed to aid multimodal treatment and improve efficiency in healthcare.

Differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with community-acquired pneumonia in primary care in Spain

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is one of the underlying risk factors for developing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The high prevalence of diabetes among population and the rising incidence of this illness, converts it as an important disease to better control and manage, to prevent its secondary consequences as CAP. The objective of this research is to describe the characteristics of the patients with diabetes and the differences with the no diabetes who have had an episode of CAP in the context of the primary care field.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational study in adult patients (> 18 years-old) who suffer from CAP and attended at primary care in Spain between 2009 and 2013 was developed using the Computerized Database for Pharmacoepidemiological Studies in Primary Care (BIFAP). We carried out a descriptive analysis of the first episodes of CAP, in patients with or without diabetes as comorbidity. Other morbidity (CVA, Anaemia, Arthritis, Asthma, Heart disease, Dementia, Depression, Dysphagia, Multiple sclerosis, Epilepsy, COPD, Liver disease, Arthrosis, Parkinson's disease, Kidney disease, HIV) and life-style factors were also included in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 51,185 patients were included in the study as they suffer from the first episode of CAP. Of these, 8012 had diabetes as comorbidity. There were differences between sex and age in patients with diabetes. Patients without diabetes were younger, and had less comorbidities including those related to lifestyles such as smoking, alcoholism, social and dental problems than patients with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who developed an episode of CAP with diabetes have more risk factors which could be reduced with an appropriate intervention, including vaccination to prevent successive CAP episodes and hospitalization. The burden of associated factors in these patients can produce an accumulation of risk. Health care professional should know this for treating and control these patients in order to avoid complications. Diabetes and those other risk factors associated could be reduced with an appropriate intervention, including vaccination to prevent the first and successive CAP episodes and the subsequent hospitalization in severe cases.

Use of latent class analysis to identify multimorbidity patterns and associated factors in Korean adults aged 50 years and older

Introduction

Multimorbidity associated with significant disease and economic burdens is common among the aged. We identified chronic disease multimorbidity patterns in Koreans 50 years of age or older, and explored whether such patterns were associated with particular sociodemographic factors and health-related quality-of-life.

Methods

The multimorbidity patterns of 10 chronic diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, osteoarthritis, tuberculosis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, depression, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disease) were identified via latent class analysis of data on 8,370 Korean adults aged 50+ years who participated in the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015). The associations between multimorbidity patterns, and sociodemographic factors and health-related quality of life, were subjected to regression analysis.

Results

Three patterns of multimorbidity were identified: 1) a relatively healthy group (60.4% of the population); 2) a ‘cardiometabolic conditions’ group (27.8%); and, 3) an ‘arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, depression, and thyroid disease’ group (11.8%). The female (compared to male) gender was associated with an increased likelihood of membership of the cardiometabolic conditions group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15–1.51) and (to a much greater extent) the arthritis, asthma, allergy, depression, and thyroid disease group (OR = 4.32, 95% CI = 3.30–5.66). Low socioeconomic status was associated with membership of the two multimorbidity classes. Membership of the arthritis, asthma, allergy, depression, and thyroid disease group was associated with a significantly poorer health-related quality-of-life than was membership of the other two groups.

Conclusion

The co-occurrence of chronic diseases was not attributable to chance. Multimorbidity patterns were associated with sociodemographic factors and quality-of-life. Our results suggest that targeted, integrated public health and clinical strategies dealing with chronic diseases should be based on an understanding of multimorbidity patterns; this would improve the quality-of-life of vulnerable multimorbid adults.