Prevalence of disability according to multimorbidity and disease clustering: a population-based study

Background: The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased with population ageing, and research has attempted to elucidate the correlation between chronic diseases and disability. However, most studies in older populations have focused on the effect of single disabling conditions, even though most older adults have more than one chronic disease (multimorbidity). Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the association of disability with disease, in terms of multimorbidity and specifi ed pairs of diseases, in a populationbased study of older adults. Materials and Methods: Using the Kungsholmen Project, we estimated the prevalence of disability by the number of chronic diseases, disease status by organ systems, and in specifi c pairs of chronic conditions, in a Swedish population (n=1,099; .77 years). Disability was defi ned as need of assistance in at least one activity of daily living (Katz index). Results: Functional disability was seen in 17.9% of participants. It increased as the number of chronic diseases increased. The prevalence of disability varied greatly amongst specifi c pairs of diseases: from 6.7% in persons affected by hypertension and atrial fi brillation to 82.4% in persons affected by dementia and hip fracture. In multivariate logistic regression models, the disease pairs that were signifi cantly associated with the highest increased relative odds of disability contained dementia (dementia.hip fracture, dementia.CVD, and dementia.depression). Conclusions: Our fi ndings suggest specifi c pairs of diseases are much more highly associated with disability than others, particularly diseases coupled with dementia. This knowledge may improve prevention of disablement and planning of resource distribution.