Combined association of Multimorbidity with the functional status among rural areas elderly: multicenter cross-sectional study in Southern and western China

Fang Liu, Fubing Zha, Mingchao Zhou, Jing Zhou, Dongxia Li, Jinpu Zhao, Jianjun Long, Yulong Wang, Jian Yuan
Purpose:

This study aims to investigate the combined association of multimorbidity with functional status among rural elderly populations in Southern and Western China. By identifying the prevalence and impact of multiple chronic conditions, the research seeks to inform targeted interventions and healthcare strategies to improve the quality of life and functional independence for these individuals.

Methods:

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study involving rural communities in Southern and Western China. A total of 1091 elderly individuals were included in the analysis. Multimorbidity was assessed based on the presence of multiple chronic conditions, while functional status was measured using pictorial Longshi scale. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the combined association of multimorbidity with functional status, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

Among these rural older adults in Southern and Western China, 3.9% of them were identified as belonging to the bedridden group, indicating poor functional status.  40.1% of rural elderly was with more than two chronic diseases. The prevalence of hypertension was the highest among the eight self-reported chronic diseases at 39.8% followed by osteoporosis at 33.5% and stroke at 15.5%. In addition, hypertension and osteoporosis were the most prevalent combination, with 15.0% of older persons suffering from both conditions. After adjusting for confounders, multimorbidity was significantly associated with poor functional status, and functional status of older people with two or more chronic conditions is 6.3 times worse than that of older people without chronic conditions (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 3.6 - 11.1), indicating a greater burden on functional independence among those with multiple chronic conditions.

Conclusion(s):

Our findings highlight the significant combined association of multimorbidity with functional status among rural elderly in Southern and Western China. These results underscore the importance of targeted interventions and healthcare strategies aimed at managing multimorbidity and preserving functional independence in this vulnerable population.

Implications:

This study highlights the need for targeted physiotherapy interventions to support functional independence in rural elderly with multimorbidity. It calls for comprehensive management approaches, educational enhancements, and policy support to improve care for this vulnerable population.

Funding acknowledgements:
This study was supported by a grant from the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen (No.SZSM202111010).
Keywords:
Multimorbidity
functional status
cross-sectional study
Primary topic:
Older people
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
This study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committees of Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital.
Provide the ethics approval number:
ChiCTR2000034067
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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