Effect of Multimorbidity on Old-Age Disability Among Adults Over 50 Years Old: Evidence From a Meta-Analysis

This is a meta-analysis study to assess the relationship between multimorbidity and disability among older adults over 50 years old. Population-based studies, aged ≥ 50 years, assessing associations between multimorbidity (numbers and patterns) and disability in older adults, and reporting risk estimation with odds ratios (OR), were included. Homogeneity (I²), risk of bias, and publication bias were assessed. PROSPERO registration: 411007, and this meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Twelve studies were included. For the older adults with 2 chronic conditions and ≥ 3 chronic conditions, the ORs of disability are 2.52 (95% CI 2.30-2.76) and 3.38 (95% CI 3.05-3.75), respectively. Among three multimorbidity patterns, the combination of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases pattern (OR 8.01, 95% CI 7.60-8.44) had the highest disability incidence rate. Chronic conditions in the multimorbidity patterns of combination of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and mental health problems have an enhancement effect (1 + 1 > 2) on old-age disability impairment, whereas those in the multimorbidity pattern of musculoskeletal disorders have a dampening effect (1 + 1 < 2). The differentiated and specific early interventions should be developed based on the different multimorbidity patterns to prevent the old-age functional decline and disability in older adults.