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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Bidirectional association between functional difficulty and multimorbidity among older adults in India
Priyanka Patel1, Harihar Sahoo2, Ravi Prakash Jha3
1Newcomb Institute Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.
Frontiers in Aging
|August 15, 2026
Summary
Functional difficulty and multimorbidity are closely linked in India
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- India's demographic profile is shifting towards an aging population, with a significant increase in elderly individuals projected by 2050.
- Understanding the health challenges faced by this demographic is crucial for public health planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional relationship between functional difficulty and multimorbidity in older adults in India.
- To analyze the association between Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) limitations and the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) 2017-18, including 31,902 participants aged 60 and above.
- Examined the prevalence of multimorbidity and its association with ADL and IADL functional limitations.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association exists between functional difficulty (ADL and IADL) and the likelihood of multimorbidity.
- Severe ADL difficulties increased multimorbidity likelihood by 3.97 times, while severe IADL difficulties increased it by 2.92 times.
- Multimorbidity also increased the risk of severe ADL limitations (3.89 times) and severe IADL limitations (2.84 times).
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the critical need for integrated health interventions for India's aging population.
- Interventions should concurrently address chronic disease management and functional ability to improve quality of life.
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