Multimorbidity patterns among persons with multiple sclerosis in Denmark: A national cross-sectional survey study.
This national cross-sectional survey study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clustering of co-occurring diseases in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Denmark. The study also examined the associations between socio-demographic and MS-specific characteristics and multimorbidity clusters.
The survey, conducted by the Danish MS Society, was carried out among 3,114 persons with MS (PwMS). The survey included information on 27 diseases, socio-demographic factors, and MS-specific factors. Weighted principal component analysis and K-means cluster analysis were used to identify multimorbidity clusters. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between cluster membership and background variables.
Seventy-five percent of the respondents reported having one or more diseases in addition to MS. The most common coexisting diseases were hypertension (25.1%), hyperlipidemia (18.4%), allergy (18.2%), slipped disc/other spine disorders (17.9%), and osteoarthritis (17.9%). Five multimorbidity clusters were identified: "None-to-low multimorbidity", "Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal", "Cardiovascular, Diabetes", "Asthma, Allergy", and "Mental Illness". The clusters differed in terms of socio-demographic and MS-specific factors.
Understanding the patterns and clusters of multimorbidity, along with their links to socio-demographic and MS-specific characteristics, can help guide healthcare providers in assessing the healthcare needs of PwMS and in developing preventive strategies.
The survey, conducted by the Danish MS Society, was carried out among 3,114 persons with MS (PwMS). The survey included information on 27 diseases, socio-demographic factors, and MS-specific factors. Weighted principal component analysis and K-means cluster analysis were used to identify multimorbidity clusters. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between cluster membership and background variables.
Seventy-five percent of the respondents reported having one or more diseases in addition to MS. The most common coexisting diseases were hypertension (25.1%), hyperlipidemia (18.4%), allergy (18.2%), slipped disc/other spine disorders (17.9%), and osteoarthritis (17.9%). Five multimorbidity clusters were identified: "None-to-low multimorbidity", "Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal", "Cardiovascular, Diabetes", "Asthma, Allergy", and "Mental Illness". The clusters differed in terms of socio-demographic and MS-specific factors.
Understanding the patterns and clusters of multimorbidity, along with their links to socio-demographic and MS-specific characteristics, can help guide healthcare providers in assessing the healthcare needs of PwMS and in developing preventive strategies.
Authors
Lynning Lynning, Skytt Skytt, Trénel Trénel, Frølich Frølich, Lundstrøm Lundstrøm, Hempler Hempler, Skovgaard Skovgaard
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