Prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in northeastern China: a cross-sectional study

Information on multimorbidity in the general populations of developing countries is lacking. We examine the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in northeastern China.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult residents in Jilin Province, northeastern China from June 2012 to August 2012.

Data were collected from a large cross-sectional study (n = 21,435) of adult community residents in Jilin Province in northeastern China. Multimorbidity, or co-morbidity, was defined as having two or more of 18 specified prevalent chronic diseases. A range of demographics, socio-economic factors, other risk factors and general mental health were used in describing the distribution of multimorbidity and in exploring the associations between them.

Almost a quarter (24.7%) of the adults were found to be multimorbid for chronic diseases. Multimorbidity was more common among older adults, women, rural residents and those with low income. Smoking, increasing BMI and psychological distress were independently associated with multimorbidity. Multimorbid patients were frequent users of primary care. Most dyads of chronic diseases co-occurred more frequently than would be expected on the basis of chance.

Researchers, clinicians and policy makers need to pay special attention to the health care challenges of multimorbidity and develop effective intervention strategies and programs to reduce the burden of multimorbidity.