Chronic conditions rise in older people
The number of older people in England living with more than one chronic condition could have risen by ten per cent in the last decade putting increasing pressure on the NHS, new research has suggested.
NIHR-funded researchers have found more older people now have at least one chronic disease, adding further strain on health budgets amid a rise in long-term conditions and people living longer.
A study, which examined more than 15,000 people in England over ten years, showed there was an increasing trend in people aged over 50 developing a second or third disease. It also found that people who were physically active were healthier.
The percentage of older people with multiple conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis, steadily increased from 31.7 per cent in 2002/03 to 43.1 per cent in 2012/13, according to the article published in the online journal the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
The proportion of older people without a chronic condition decreased over the same period from 33.9 per cent to 26.8 per cent, researchers also found. Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes & Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, said:
“The prevalence of multimorbidity, where people have more than one chronic condition, in older adults is steadily increasing over time.
“The current models of care globally are based on the management of individual chronic conditions. However, given the increase in multimoribidity over the past 10 years and the complex needs of these patients, clinical guidelines need to address the challenges in management of multimoribidity and formulate best practices to guide clinical decision making for these patients.”
Fellow researcher Dr Nafeesa Dhalwani added:
“Multimorbidity has become one of the main challenges in the recent years for patients, health care providers and the health care systems globally.
“However, literature describing the burden of multimorbidity in the elderly population, especially trends over longer periods is very limited. Physical activity is recommended as one of the main lifestyle changes in the prevention and management of multiple chronic diseases worldwide, however, the evidence on its association with multimorbidity remains inconclusive.”
The study was carried out by researchers at the Leicester Diabetes Centre and funded by the NIHR Leicester-Loughborough Diet, Lifestyle and Physical Activity BRU and NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands.
The Leicester Diabetes Centre is an international centre of excellence in diabetes research, education and innovation led by Professor Khunti and Professor Melanie Davies. It is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester.
NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands is a partnership of regional health services, universities and industry which turns research into cost-saving and high-quality care through cutting-edge innovation.
The NIHR Leicester-Loughborough Diet, Lifestyle and Physical Activity BRU is a national centre of excellence in diet, lifestyle and physical activity based in Leicester and Loughborough. It harnesses the power of experimental science to explore and develop ways to help prevent and treat chronic disease.
To view the paper titled ‘Long terms trends of multimorbidity and association with physical activity in older English population’, visit: http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/13/1/8
Notes to editors
For further details, to arrange an interview or more photographs, email oliver.jelley@ojpr.co.uk or call 07803 003811 or 01604 882342. http://www.ll.dlpa.bru.nihr.ac.uk
The NIHR Leicester-Loughborough Diet, Lifestyle and Physical Activity Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) is funded by the NIHR. By harnessing the power of experimental science we will explore and develop innovative lifestyle interventions to help prevent and treat chronic disease for the benefit of all. The BRUs undertake translational clinical research in priority areas of high disease burden and clinical need.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government’s strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit http://www.nihr.ac.uk.
The Leicester Diabetes Centre is an international centre of excellence in diabetes research, education and innovation and is led by Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Kamlesh Khunti. Hosted at Leicester General Hospital, the Leicester Diabetes Centre is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester, working with the city and county Clinical Commissioning Groups. It is a leading applied health .