Multimorbidity due to chronic noncommunicable diseases in older adults: a population-based study

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity arising from chronic noncommunicable diseases among older residents of the northeast of Brazil and to analyze its association with sociodemographic, behavioral and anthropometric factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 3,141 older participants of the National Health Survey (2013). The dependent variable was multimorbidity, and the independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral and anthropometric indicators. Descriptive, bivariate analyzes and logistic regression models were applied. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 23.7%, with the state of Alagoas having the highest prevalence (27.2%). The occurrence of multimorbidity was associated with the female sex (OR=1.33; p=0.002), age over 80 years (OR=1.35; p=0.019) and being overweight (OR =1.37 p= 0.001). The protective factors were brown skin color (OR=0.79; p=0.013) and low weight (OR =0.71; p=0.017). Conclusion: The prevalence of multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults in the northeast of Brazil was almost one quarter of the study population, with the state of Alagoas having the highest prevalence. Sex, age, skin color and being overweight were associated with the outcome. Knowledge of these factors can guide health care in the prevention, control and reduction of complications of these diseases, and support the strengthening of health education strategies and policies.

研究目的：估算巴西东北部老年居民因慢性非传染性疾病引发的共病（multimorbidity）患病率，并分析其与社会人口学、行为学及人体测量学因素的关联。研究方法：本研究为横断面研究，纳入2013年全国健康调查（National Health Survey）的3141名老年参与者。以共病为因变量，社会人口学、行为学及人体测量学指标为自变量，采用描述性分析、双变量分析及logistic回归模型开展数据分析。研究结果：本次研究中共病患病率为23.7%，其中阿拉戈斯州（Alagoas）患病率最高，达27.2%。共病发生与女性性别（优势比[OR]=1.33；P=0.002）、80岁以上年龄（OR=1.35；P=0.019）及超重（OR=1.37；P=0.001）呈显著正相关；棕肤色（OR=0.79；P=0.013）与低体重（OR=0.71；P=0.017）为共病的保护因素。研究结论：巴西东北部社区居住老年人群的共病患病率近四分之一，阿拉戈斯州患病率居首位。性别、年龄、肤色及超重与共病结局存在显著关联。明晰上述影响因素可指导慢性病的预防、控制及并发症管理，为健康教育策略与政策的优化完善提供支撑。