Yves Henchoz1, Laurence Seematter-Bagnoud2, David Nanchen3, Christophe Büla4, Armin von Gunten5, Jean-Francois Démonet6, Brigitte Santos-Eggimann7. 1. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Yves.Henchoz@chuv.ch. 2. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Laurence.Seematter-Bagnoud@chuv.ch. 3. Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: David.Nanchen@chuv.ch. 4. Service of Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Rehabilitation, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Christophe.Bula@chuv.ch. 5. Service of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Armin.Von-Gunten@chuv.ch. 6. Leenaards Memory Centre, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Jean-Francois.Demonet@chuv.ch. 7. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne Hospital Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Brigitte.Santos-Eggimann@chuv.ch.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity, or co-occurrence of several chronic diseases, has major consequences in terms of function, quality of life and mortality. Recent advances suggest that the aetiology of multimorbidity includes a life-long process. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults, and to investigate variation in participants born immediately before, during and at the end of the Second World War. METHODS: Participants were 4731 community-dwelling older adults who enrolled in the Lausanne cohort 65+ study (Switzerland) at age 65-70 years in 2004/2009/2014. A baseline questionnaire provided several indicators of childhood adversity including premature birth, food restrictions, child labour, family economic environment, serious illness/accident, and stressful life events. Multimorbidity at age 67-72 years was defined as ≥2 active chronic diseases at the 2-year follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS: All childhood adversity indicators except premature birth were significantly associated with multimorbidity. Odds ratio (OR) ranged from 1.23 (P = 0.034) for poor family economic environment to 1.74 (P < 0.001) for stressful life events. In a multivariable model adjusted for socioeconomic status, health behaviours and stressful life events in adulthood (>16 years), a history of serious illness/accident (OR = 1.45; P < 0.001) and stressful life events (OR = 1.42; P = 0.001) in childhood remained significantly associated with multimorbidity. Comparisons between cohorts indicated substantial variations in the prevalence of childhood adversity indicators but similar associations with multimorbidity. CONCLUSION: There was an independent association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity after age 65. This study encourages a comprehensive life-course perspective to better understand and potentially prevent multimorbidity.
BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity, or co-occurrence of several chronic diseases, has major consequences in terms of function, quality of life and mortality. Recent advances suggest that the aetiology of multimorbidity includes a life-long process. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults, and to investigate variation in participants born immediately before, during and at the end of the Second World War. METHODS:Participants were 4731 community-dwelling older adults who enrolled in the Lausanne cohort 65+ study (Switzerland) at age 65-70 years in 2004/2009/2014. A baseline questionnaire provided several indicators of childhood adversity including premature birth, food restrictions, child labour, family economic environment, serious illness/accident, and stressful life events. Multimorbidity at age 67-72 years was defined as ≥2 active chronic diseases at the 2-year follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS: All childhood adversity indicators except premature birth were significantly associated with multimorbidity. Odds ratio (OR) ranged from 1.23 (P = 0.034) for poor family economic environment to 1.74 (P < 0.001) for stressful life events. In a multivariable model adjusted for socioeconomic status, health behaviours and stressful life events in adulthood (>16 years), a history of serious illness/accident (OR = 1.45; P < 0.001) and stressful life events (OR = 1.42; P = 0.001) in childhood remained significantly associated with multimorbidity. Comparisons between cohorts indicated substantial variations in the prevalence of childhood adversity indicators but similar associations with multimorbidity. CONCLUSION: There was an independent association between childhood adversity and multimorbidity after age 65. This study encourages a comprehensive life-course perspective to better understand and potentially prevent multimorbidity.
Authors: Yves Henchoz; Juan Manuel Blanco; Sarah Fustinoni; David Nanchen; Christophe Büla; Laurence Seematter-Bagnoud; Armin von Gunten; Brigitte Santos-Eggimann Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2022-08-10 Impact factor: 9.685
Authors: Katharina Tabea Jungo; Boris Cheval; Stefan Sieber; Bernadette Wilhelmina Antonia van der Linden; Andreas Ihle; Cristian Carmeli; Arnaud Chiolero; Sven Streit; Stéphane Cullati Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-08-02 Impact factor: 3.752
Authors: Elizabeth Ingram; Sarah Ledden; Sarah Beardon; Manuel Gomes; Sue Hogarth; Helen McDonald; David P Osborn; Jessica Sheringham Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.710