Abstract
BackgroundThe objective of this work was to analyse the prevalence trends of multimorbidity among European community-dwelling adults.MethodsA temporal series study based on waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was conducted, and community-dwelling participants aged 50+ (n = 274,614) from 15 European countries were selected for the period 2004–2017. Prevalence, adjusted by age, Average Annual Percentage Change (APC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were all calculated. Trend analyses were realised by period, age groups and groups of diseases.ResultsThe results showed a large variability in the prevalence of multimorbidity in adults aged 50 and over among European countries. Increase in the prevalence of multimorbidity in the countries of central Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany and Switzerland) and Spain in both sexes, and in the Netherlands among men. Stability was observed in northern and eastern European countries. Musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative groups showed more significant changes in the trend analyses.ConclusionsThis information can be useful for policy makers when planning health promotion and prevention policies addressing modifiable risk factors in health.
Highlights
The objective of this work was to analyse the prevalence trends of multimorbidity among European community-dwelling adults
The prevalence was higher in Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic and Estonia, and lower in Switzerland, Sweden and Netherlands
The trend analyses by period show an increase of multimorbidity prevalence in both genders in Austria (APC = 2.3% in men and Annual Percentage Change (APC) = 2.2% in women), Belgium (APC = 1.7 in men and APC = 1.5% in women), Czech Republic (APC = 2.7% in men and APC = 2.6% in women), France (APC = 1.0% in men and APC = 0.9% in women), Germany (APC = 6.9% in men and APC = 3.2% in women), Spain (APC = 2.0% in men and APC = 1.9% in women) and Switzerland (APC = 2.7% in men and APC = 2.6% in women)
Summary
The objective of this work was to analyse the prevalence trends of multimorbidity among European community-dwelling adults. Overall life expectancy and healthy life years have increased worldwide, but quality of life and functional capacity have worsened due to non-communicable diseases strongly related to ageing [1]. These changes in population ageing contribute to a higher prevalence of multimorbidity, defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions in the same individual [2]. It is necessary to understand the prevalence trends of multimorbidity in populations and their impact over time
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