Multimorbidity in adults from a southern Brazilian city: occurrence and patterns

Bruno Pereira Nunes, Fabio Alberto Camargo-Figuera, Marília Guttier, Paula Duarte de Oliveira, Tiago N. Munhoz, Alicia Matijasevich, Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi, Fernando César Wehrmeister, Marysabel Pinto Telis Silveira, Elaine Thumé, Luiz Augusto Facchini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate occurrences and patterns of multimorbidity in adults from a southern Brazilian city. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 2012 through face-to-face interviews with adults (20 or more years) living in Pelotas, southern Brazil. Multimorbidity was evaluated by a list of 11 morbidities (based on medical diagnosis; Patient Health Questionnaire 9 for depression; and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical index) and operationalized according to two cutoff points: ≥2 and ≥3 morbidities. Descriptive analysis and factor analysis (FA) were performed. Results: The sample was made up of 2927 adults. Multimorbidity reached 29.1 % (95 % CI: 27.1; 31.1) for ≥2, and 14.3 % (95 % CI: 12.8; 15.8) for ≥3 morbidities and was greater in females, older people, those with less schooling and those from lower economic classes. Four pairs (frequency ≥5 %) and four triplets (frequency ≥2 %) were observed. Two patterns of morbidities (cardiometabolic and joint problems; and respiratory diseases) explained 93 % of total variance. Conclusions: Multimorbidity was common in the studied population. The observed patterns may be used to generate and improve Brazilian diseases guidelines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1013-1020
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Public Health
Volume61
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • Chronic diseases
  • Comorbidity
  • Elderly
  • Multimorbidity
  • Statistical disease clustering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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