The association between healthy lifestyle and multimorbidity of non-communicable chronic diseases trajectory: evidence from a perspective study in UK biobank

Abstract

Background: Although a few studies have found that healthy lifestyle is linked to a range of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), its association with the onset, progression, and prognosis of multimorbidity of NCDs (MNCDs) has never been studied. Method: A total of 332 444 adults aged 39-73 years who were free of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer at baseline were selected. Then we used multi-state model to analyze the associations between healthy lifestyle and transition trajectory were analyzed with results expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 62 994 participants developed first NCDs (FNCDs). After adjustment for potential confounders, healthy lifestyle was negatively associated with the transition trajectory from baseline to FNCD (HR = 0.38), from FNCDs to MNCDs (HR = 0.30), etc. Further, the transition trajectory from FNCDs to MNCDs became more pronounced among the offspring who aged ≤60 (HRFNCDs → MNCDs = 0.29), who never took medicine(HRFNCDs → MNCDs = 0.25). Besides, possessing all five healthy lifestyle factors could extend the life expectancy of MNCD participants. Conclusion: This study suggests that healthy lifestyle is associated with almost all transition phases of MNCDs development and decreases the mortality risk of MNCDs.