Research Abstract: Free Paper - Poster Presentation Only Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Multimorbidity patterns in community-dwelling older adults (#164)

Ruth Teh 1 , Ngaire Kerse 1 , Dipan Ranchhod 2 , Lynn McBain 3
  1. University of Auckland, Grafton, AUCKLAND, New Zealand
  2. Tu Ora - Compass Health, Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
  3. Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand

Background: Multimorbidity is prevalent in older adults. It is associated with limited physical function and adverse impact on activities of daily living.

Aims: The project examines the impact of multimorbidity and 5-year health outcomes.

Methods: Multimorbidity was ascertained using primary care data Tū Ora COMPASS Health, aged residential care (ARC) admission were determined from interRAI and mortality from the Ministry of Health New Zealand. Cox-regression models were used to examine the association between multimorbidity and health outcomes. Cluster analysis will be used to identify multimorbidity patterns.

Results: The sample comprises 45,178 adults aged 55+ for Māori (8%) and Pasifika (4%), and 65+ for Other (82% NZ European, 4.9% Asian, other 1.4%). Fifty-four percent were female; the average age for Māori and Pasifika was 65.1 years; the Other was 74.1 years. More than half of the sample (n=22,986) had 0-1 chronic condition, 25% had 2 conditions, and 24% had ≥3. The most prevalent condition was hypertension (46%). Figure 1 shows the prevalence of diseases by sex and ethnic groups. Those with ≥3 conditions had a higher risk of admission to ARC [HR (95% CI): 2.9 (2.7 to 3.1)] and mortality [3.4 (3.2 to 3.7)] at five years follow-ups than those who have 0-1 conditions. Multimorbidity patterns will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic conditions differed between men and women. The number of conditions increased the risk of admission to ARC and mortality. Further analysis is needed to examine the association between patterns of conditions and adverse health outcomes.

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