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Dijkstra H, Weil LI, de Boer S, Merx HP, Doornberg JN, van Munster BC. Travel burden for patients with multimorbidity - Proof of concept study in a Dutch tertiary care center. SSM Popul Health 2023; 24:101488. [PMID: 37692832 PMCID: PMC10483049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore travel burden in patients with multimorbidity and analyze patients with high travel burden, to stimulate actions towards adequate access and (remote) care coordination for these patients. Design A retrospective, cross-sectional, explorative proof of concept study. Setting and Participants Electronic health record data of all patients who visited our academic hospital in 2017 were used. Patients with a valid 4-digit postal code, aged ≥18 years, had >1 chronic or oncological condition and had >1 outpatient visits with >1 specialties were included. Methods Travel burden (hours/year) was calculated as: travel time in hours × number of outpatient visit days per patient in one year × 2. Baseline variables were analyzed using univariate statistics. Patients were stratified into two groups by the median travel burden. The contribution of travel time (dichotomized) and the number of outpatient clinic visits days (dichotomized) to the travel burden was examined with binary logistic regression by adding these variables consecutively to a crude model with age, sex and number of diagnosis. National maps exploring the geographic variation of multimorbidity and travel burden were built. Furthermore, maps showing the distribution of socioeconomic status (SES) and proportion of older age (≥65 years) of the general population were built. Results A total of 14 476 patients were included (54.4% female, mean age 57.3 years ([± standard deviation] = ± 16.6 years). Patients travelled an average of 0.42 (± 0.33) hours to the hospital per (one-way) visit with a median travel burden of 3.19 hours/year (interquartile range (IQR) 1.68 - 6.20). Care consumption variables, such as higher number of diagnosis and treating specialties in the outpatient clinic were more frequent in patients with higher travel burden. High travel time showed a higher Odds Ratio (OR = 578 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 353 - 947), p < 0.01) than having high number of outpatient clinic visit days (OR = 237, 95% CI = 144 - 338), p < 0.01) to having a high travel burden in the final regression model. Conclusions and implications The geographic representation of patients with multimorbidity and their travel burden varied but coincided locally with lower SES and older age in the general population. Future studies should aim on identifying patients with high travel burden and low SES, creating opportunity for adequate (remote) care coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidde Dijkstra
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Liann I. Weil
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sylvia de Boer
- Geodienst, Center for Information Technology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hubertus P.T.D. Merx
- Geodienst, Center for Information Technology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Job N. Doornberg
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma Surgery, Flinders Medical Center and Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Barbara C. van Munster
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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Tazzeo C, Zucchelli A, Vetrano DL, Demurtas J, Smith L, Schoene D, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Onder G, Balci C, Bonetti S, Grande G, Torbahn G, Veronese N, Marengoni A. Risk factors for multimorbidity in adulthood: A systematic review. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102039. [PMID: 37647994 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple chronic diseases in an individual, is highly prevalent and challenging for healthcare systems. However, its risk factors remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To systematically review studies reporting multimorbidity risk factors. METHODS A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted, searching electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus). Inclusion criteria were studies addressing multimorbidity transitions, trajectories, continuous disease counts, and specific patterns. Non-human studies and participants under 18 were excluded. Associations between risk factors and multimorbidity onset were reported. RESULTS Of 20,806 identified studies, 68 were included, with participants aged 18-105 from 23 countries. Nine risk factor categories were identified, including demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors. Older age, low education, obesity, hypertension, depression, low pysical function were generally positively associated with multimorbidity. Results for factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and dietary patterns were inconsistent. Study quality was moderate, with 16.2% having low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS Several risk factors seem to be consistently associated with an increased risk of accumulating chronic diseases over time. However, heterogeneity in settings, exposure and outcome, and baseline health of participants hampers robust conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Tazzeo
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alberto Zucchelli
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Davide Liborio Vetrano
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jacopo Demurtas
- Primary Care Department USL Toscana Sud Est, AFT Orbetello, Italy
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel Schoene
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Medical Physics, Erlangen, Germany; Leipzig University, Institute of Exercise and Public Health, Leipzig, Germany; Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Department of Clinical Gerontology, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dolores Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Geriatrics Department, Brugmann university hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium; Geriatrics Department, Parc Salut Mar, Rehabilitation Research Group, Hospital Del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Graziano Onder
- Department of Geriatric and Orthopedic sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Cafer Balci
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, Turkey
| | - Silvia Bonetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giulia Grande
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gabriel Torbahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nürnberg, Universitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marengoni
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Mindlis I, Revenson TA, Erblich J, Fernández Sedano B. Multimorbidity and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Contextual Approach. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2023; 63:1365-1375. [PMID: 36516464 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Among older adults, depressive symptoms increase with each chronic illness; however, specific disease-related stressors (e.g., pain) and contextual moderators (interpersonal, sociocultural, temporal) of this relationship remain understudied. We explored disease-related stressors associated with depressive symptoms and moderating effects of contextual factors on this relationship, guided by a social ecological framework. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Adults ≥62 years with multimorbidity (n = 366) completed validated scales assessing diagnoses, disease-related stressors (pain intensity, subjective cognitive function, physical function, somatic symptoms), and depressive symptoms. Moderators included age, expectations regarding aging, perceived social support, and difficulty affording medications. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS Participants were 62-88 years old, with several comorbidities (M = 3.5; range: 2-9). As hypothesized, disease-related stressors were associated with depressive symptoms (b = 0.64, SE = 0.04, p < .001). The effect of disease-related stressors on depressive symptoms was greater among those reporting low social support (B = 0.70, SE = 0.06, p < .001) than for those reporting high social support (B = 0.46, SE = 0.06, p < .001). The negative effect of disease-related stressors on depressive symptoms was stronger for those with poorer expectations of aging (B = 0.68, SE = 0.07, p < .001), compared to those with more positive expectations (B = 0.47, SE = 0.06, p < .001). Age and difficulties affording medications were not significant moderators. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Garnering social support and addressing low expectations for aging may prevent the detrimental effect of multimorbidity on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Mindlis
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Tracey A Revenson
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
- Psychology Department, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Joel Erblich
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
- Psychology Department, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Brandon Fernández Sedano
- Psychology Department, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
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Eyowas FA, Schneider M, Alemu S, Getahun FA. Experience of living with multimorbidity and health workers perspectives on the organization of health services for people living with multiple chronic conditions in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:232. [PMID: 36890489 PMCID: PMC9995260 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09250-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multimorbidity-the simultaneous occurrence of two or more chronic Non-Communicable Diseases) in an individual is increasing globally and challenging health systems. Although individuals living with multimorbidity face a range of adverse consequences and difficulty in getting optimal health care, the evidence base in understanding the burden and capacity of the health system in managing multimorbidity is sparse in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed at understanding the lived experiences of patients with multimorbidity and perspective of service providers on multimorbidity and its care provision, and perceived capacity of the health system for managing multimorbidity in Bahir Dar City, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS A facility-based phenomenological study design was conducted in three public and three private health facilities rendering chronic outpatient Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) care in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia. Nineteen patient participants with two or more chronic NCDs and nine health care providers (six medical doctors and three nurses) were purposively selected and interviewed using semi-structured in-depth interview guides. Data were collected by trained researchers. Interviews were audio-recorded using digital recorders, stored and transferred to computers, transcribed verbatim by the data collectors, translated into English and then imported into NVivo V.12 software for data analysis. We employed a six-step inductive thematic framework analysis approach to construct meaning and interpret experiences and perceptions of individual patients and service providers. Codes were identified and categorized into sub-themes, organizing themes and main themes iteratively to identify similarities and differences across themes, and to interpret them accordingly. RESULTS A total of 19 patient participants (5 Females) and nine health workers (2 females) responded to the interviews. Participants' age ranged from 39 to 79 years for patients and 30 to 50 years for health professionals. About half (n = 9) of the participants had three or more chronic conditions. The key themes produced were feeling dependency, social rejection, psychological distress, poor medication adherence and poor quality of care. Living with multimorbidity poses a huge burden on the physical, psychological, social and sexual health of patients. In addition, patients with multimorbidity are facing financial hardship to access optimal multimorbidity care. On the other hand, the health system is not appropriately prepared to provide integrated, person-centered and coordinated care for people living with multiple chronic conditions. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Living with multimorbidity poses huge impact on physical, psychological, social and sexual health of patients. Patients seeking multimorbidity care are facing challenges to access care attributable to either financial constraints or the lack of integrated, respectful and compassionate health care. It is recommended that the health system must understand and respond to the complex care needs of the patients with multimorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantu Abebe Eyowas
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
| | - Marguerite Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health University of Cape Town, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shitaye Alemu
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Fentie Ambaw Getahun
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Eyowas FA, Schneider M, Balcha SA, Pati S, Getahun FA. Multimorbidity and health-related quality of life among patients attending chronic outpatient medical care in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia: The application of partial proportional odds model. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0001176. [PMID: 36962679 PMCID: PMC10021695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multimorbidity, the presence of two or more chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in a given person affects all aspects of people's lives. Poor quality of life (QoL) is one of the major consequences of living with multimorbidity. Although healthcare should support multimorbid individuals to achieve a better quality of life, little is known about the effect of multimorbidity on the QoL of patients living with chronic conditions. This study aimed to determine the influence of multimorbidity on QoL among clients attending chronic outpatient medical care in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY A multi-centered facility-based study was conducted among 1440 participants aged 40+ years. Two complementary methods were employed to collect sociodemographic and disease related data. We used the short form (SF-12 V2) instrument to measure quality of life (QoL). The data were analyzed by STATA V.16, and a multivariate partial proportional odds model was fitted to identify covariates associated with quality of life. Statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Multimorbidity was identified in 54.8% (95% CI = 52.2%-57.4%) of the sample. A significant proportion (33.5%) of the study participants had poor QoL and a quarter (25.8%) of them had moderate QoL. Advanced age, obesity and living with multimorbidity were the factors associated with poor QoL. Conversely, perceived social support and satisfaction with care were the variables positively associated with better QoL. CONCLUSION The magnitude of multimorbidity in this study was high and individuals living with multimorbidity had a relatively poorer QoL than those without multimorbidity. Care of people with chronic multiple conditions has to be oriented to the realities of multimorbidity burden and its implication on QoL. It is also imperative to replicate the methods we employed to measure and analyze QoL data in this study for facilitating comparison and further development of the approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantu Abebe Eyowas
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Marguerite Schneider
- Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shitaye Alemu Balcha
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | | | - Fentie Ambaw Getahun
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Im JHB, Rodrigues R, Anderson KK, Wilk P, Stranges S, Nicholson K. Examining the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among community-dwelling older adults: cross-sectional evidence from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) first-follow-up data. Age Ageing 2022; 51:6653483. [PMID: 35930724 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION multimorbidity has become an increasingly important issue for many populations around the world, including Canada. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity at first follow-up and to identify factors associated with multimorbidity using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). METHODS this study included 27,701 community-dwelling participants in the first follow-up of the CLSA. Multimorbidity was operationalised using two definitions (Public Health and Primary Care), as well as the cut-points of two or more chronic conditions (MM2+) and three or more chronic conditions (MM3+). The prevalence of multimorbidity was calculated at first follow-up and multivariable regression models were used to identify correlates of multimorbidity occurrence. RESULTS the prevalence of multimorbidity at first follow-up was 32.3% among males and 39.3% among females when using the MM2+ Public Health definition, whereas the prevalence was 67.2% among males and 75.8% among females when using the MM2+ Primary Care definition. Older age, lower alcohol consumption, lower physical activity levels, dissatisfaction with sleep quality, dissatisfaction with life and experiencing social limitations due to health conditions were significantly associated with increased odds of multimorbidity for both males and females, regardless of the definition of multimorbidity used. CONCLUSION various sociodemographic, behavioural and psychosocial factors are associated with multimorbidity. Future research should continue to examine how the prevalence of multimorbidity changes with time and how these changes may be related to specific risk factors. This future research should be supplemented with studies examining the longitudinal impacts of multimorbidity over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H B Im
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Rodrigues
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kelly K Anderson
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Piotr Wilk
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Saverio Stranges
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Precision Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Kathryn Nicholson
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Mallon T, Schäfer I, Fuchs A, Gensichen J, Maier W, Riedel-Heller S, König HH, Mergenthal K, Schön G, Wegscheider K, Weyerer S, Wiese B, van den Bussche H, Scherer M. The moderating effects of social support and depressive symptoms on pain among elderly multimorbid patients-data from the multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study MultiCare. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:803-809. [PMID: 33949271 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1916882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Depressive symptoms and chronic pain are common among patients with multimorbidity creating a complex medical condition for both the patient and the general practitioner. Perceived social support may function as a protective measure. UNLABELLED To examine the impact of perceived social support as a potential moderator between depressive symptoms and pain intensity and pain disability in daily activities in multimorbid patients aged 75+. METHOD Data from 3,189 patients of the German longitudinal cohort study MultiCare were obtained at baseline and follow-ups during 5 years. Multilevel linear mixed-effects analyses were conducted for pain intensity (model 1) and pain disability in daily activities (model 2). The interaction term social support by depression score was included to test for moderation. RESULTS The interaction between social support and depressive symptoms was significantly associated with the pain intensity score 0.41 (SE=.17; 95-CI[.08;.74]) but not with the pain disability score 0.35 (SE=.19; 95-CI[-.01;.72]). Additionally, men and individuals with medium or higher educational level showed reduced pain intensity and disability scores. Pain disability scores increased with age and depressive symptoms. Increased pain scores were also found for body mass index and burden of multimorbidity. CONCLUSION Perceived social support amplified the association of depressive symptoms on pain intensity and did not show a protective function. The high scores of perceived social support among the participants may point to the practice of secondary gain due to the patients immense health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Mallon
- Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingmar Schäfer
- Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Angela Fuchs
- Institute of General Practice, University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jochen Gensichen
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Steffi Riedel-Heller
- Institute for Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans-Helmut König
- Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karola Mergenthal
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt Am Main, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schön
- Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karl Wegscheider
- Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Siegfried Weyerer
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Birgitt Wiese
- Institute of General Practice, WG Medical Statistics and IT-Infrastructure, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hendrik van den Bussche
- Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Demirer I, Bethge M, Spyra K, Karbach U, Pfaff H. Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling. SSM Popul Health 2021; 13:100744. [PMID: 33604446 PMCID: PMC7873675 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study provides insights into the longitudinal relation between multimorbidity, mental wellbeing, and social support. The analysis used the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees, a study of the German working population aged 40 to 54. In the context of multimorbidity, this population has been little studied. Multimorbidity is significantly associated with reduced mental wellbeing and social support, whereas social support increases mental wellbeing. We argue that, especially among the working population, multimorbidity reduces perceived social support and decreases mental wellbeing. We elaborate on the mediation process empirically by comparing two distinct structural equation models: a cross-lagged panel mediation model that models a potential reverse-causality between social support and mental wellbeing; and a synchronous mediation model that allows for more immediate mediation. Both models estimated significant mediation. The relative size of the mediation effect, however, varied widely based on the added mediational paths (8.57% vs. 28%). Fit statistics for both models were good, and the comparison did not favour either model. We conclude that theoretical reasoning must prevail over empirical testing. The cross-lagged model implies a more longitudinal (lagged) mediation process for social support. However, we suggest an immediate, flexible mediation as more plausible. Nevertheless, we suggest that cross-lagged models, when given a data structure and time gaps, reflect the social processes adequately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Demirer
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
| | - Matthias Bethge
- Department Rehabilitation and Work. Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology at University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160; Haus V50, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Karla Spyra
- Head of the Rehabilitation Department Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Virchowweg 23, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Karbach
- Department Rehabilitation Sociology. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Technical University Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 50; EF50, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Holger Pfaff
- Director of Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, And Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany
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