Socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with multimorbidity in New Zealand

• Published in: Epidemiology and health Vol. 42; p. e2020001
• Main Authors: Aminisani, Nayyereh, Stephens, Christine, Allen, Joanne, Alpass, Fiona, Shamshirgaran, Seyed Morteza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Epidemiology 2020; 한국역학회
• Subjects: Aged; demographic factors; Female; Humans; incidence; Life Style; lifestyle; Male; Middle Aged; Multimorbidity; new zealand; New Zealand - epidemiology; Original; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; 예방의학; New Zealand; New Zealand; Lifestyle; Demographic factors; Incidence; Multimorbidity
• ISSN: 2092-7193; 2092-7193
• DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2020001

The incidence of multimorbidity (MM) and its correlates among older adults remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with MM in New Zealand.
People aged 55-70 years were invited to participate in a population-based cohort study, the Health Work and Retirement Study, in 2006. Those who accepted the invitation and completed the baseline questionnaire were followed up on a biennial basis. Data on socio-demographic factors, health and lifestyle behaviours, and diagnoses of chronic diseases were obtained from baseline and 6 waves of follow-up. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) adjusted for both time-constant and time-varying factors were used to model factors associated with the onset of MM.
A total of 1,673 participants (with 0 or 1 chronic condition) contributed to an overall 8,616 person-years of observation. There were 590 new cases of MM over 10 years of follow-up, corresponding to an overall incidence of 68.5 per 1,000 person-years. The results of the age- and sex-adjusted GEE analysis showed that age, ethnicity, living alone, obesity, hypertension, and having 1 chronic condition at baseline were significant predictors of MM onset. Higher education, income, physical activity, and regular alcohol consumption were protective factors. In a fully adjusted model, marital status (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.37; p=0.039), hypertension (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.48; p=0.032) and having 1 chronic condition at baseline (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 2.33 to 3.67; p<0.001) remained significant.
The higher incidence of MM among Māori people, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, those with low physical activity, and obese individuals highlights the importance of targeted prevention strategies.