Contribution of multiple chronic conditions to universal health outcomes

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative effect of five chronic conditions on four representative universal health outcomes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Cardiovascular Health Study. PARTICIPANTS: Five thousand two hundred and ninetyeight community-living participants aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Multiple regression and Cox models were used to determine the effect of heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoarthritis, depression, and cognitive impairment on self-rated health, 12 basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs), six-item symptom burden scale, and death. RESULTS: Each condition adversely affected self-rated health (P