Multimorbidity groups based on numbers of chronic conditions are associated with daily activity

Abstract

Objective: Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are important for managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and maintaining independence while aging. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we answered the question: are there differences in ability and performance of IADL among groups of older adults with 0–1 (no MCC), 2–4 (low MCC), and 5+ chronic conditions (multisystem morbidity: MM)? Methods: Cross-sectional study using Poisson regression and incidence rate ratios. Participants were 6,019 community-dwelling older adults who regularly take medications. We derived composite variables for ability and performance of IADL; MCC groups were based on count of 11 chronic conditions. Results: Older adults with MM had lower IADL count for ability (IRR =.81) and performance (IRR =.77), and MM group significantly predicted both ability and performance of IADL (p