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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40718771 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.19750

Prevalence and associated factors of physical-psychological-cognitive multimorbidity in Chinese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.

PeerJ 13:e19750

Authors: Lin Lin, Di-Fei Duan, Linjia Yan, Hai Yan He

Affiliations

  • School of Nursing, Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mianyang, China.
  • Department of Nephrology, Kidney Research Institute, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • The Nethersole School of Nursing Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Background

The rising prevalence of physical-psychological-cognitive (PPC) multimorbidity among older adults poses significant challenges. Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for the development of targeted and effective care strategies.

Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized convenience sampling to survey older adults residing in two cities in Sichuan Province and Chongqing, Southwest China, between September 2024 and December 2024. Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, EQ-5D-5L, HALFT scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the 8-item Ascertain Dementia tool. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of PPC multimorbidity.

Results

A total of 437 participants were included, with 75 having PPC multimorbidity and 362 without, resulting in a prevalence of PPC of 17.2%. Social frailty was observed in 17.8%. Multivariate logistic regression identified long-term medication use (OR = 3.24, 95% CI [1.28-8.21]), higher multimorbidity burden (OR = 7.31, 95% CI [3.27-16.36]), social frailty (OR = 3.49, 95% CI [174-7.01]), and lower EQ-5D scores (OR = 0.07, 95% CI [0.02-0.26]) as significant predictors of PPC status (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study highlights the burden of PPC multimorbidity in older adults in China, with key factors including long-term medication use, advanced multimorbidity, social frailty, and poor quality of life. It calls for a patient-centered care approach that addresses these issues, with future research focusing on larger, diverse samples to guide targeted interventions.

MeSH

Patient Health Questionnaire, Cross-Sectional Studies, Prevalence, Multimorbidity, Frailty