Multimorbidity patterns among persons with multiple sclerosis in Denmark: A national cross-sectional survey study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition.
• Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of multiple chronic diseases, is common in MS.
• Understanding these patterns is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and clustering of co-occurring diseases in Danish persons with MS (PwMS).
• To examine associations between patient characteristics and multimorbidity clusters.

Main Methods:

• A national cross-sectional survey of 3,114 PwMS in Denmark.
• Data collected on 27 diseases, socio-demographic, and MS-specific factors.
• Weighted principal component and K-means cluster analyses identified multimorbidity patterns.

Main Results:

• 75% of PwMS reported at least one additional disease.
• Common co-occurring conditions include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and allergies.
• Five clusters emerged: "None-to-low multimorbidity", "Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal", "Cardiovascular, Diabetes", "Asthma, Allergy", and "Mental Illness".

Conclusions:

• Multimorbidity is highly prevalent in PwMS.
• Identified clusters show varying associations with patient characteristics.
• Findings can inform healthcare providers for better assessment and preventive strategies.