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Review
. 2020 Nov;36(4):569-584.
doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2020.06.002. Epub 2020 Aug 16.

Multimorbidity, Function, and Cognition in Aging

Sindhuja Kadambi  1 , Maya Abdallah  2 , Kah Poh Loh  3
Affiliations
Review

Multimorbidity, Function, and Cognition in Aging

Sindhuja Kadambi et al. Clin Geriatr Med. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Multimorbidity is a global health challenge. Here, we define multimorbidity, describe ways multimorbidity is measured, discuss the prevalence of multimorbidity and how it differs across different populations, examine mechanisms of disease and disability, and discuss the effects of multimorbidity on outcomes such as survival and function.

Keywords: Aging; Comorbidity; Concurrent disease; Cumulative effect; Multimorbidity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of multimorbidity by age and socioeconomic status. From Barnett K et al. Epidemiology of multimorbidity and implications for health care, research, and medical education: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet, 2012; 380(9836):37-43. Permission Pending
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes induced by physical inactivity. From Booth FW and Laye MJ. Lack of adequate appreciation of physical exercise's complexities can preempt appropriate design and interpretation in scientific discovery. The Journal of Physiology, 2009; 587(23): 5527-39; with permission. (Figure 2 in original)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Biological mechanisms of multimorbidity. From Barnes PJ. Mechanisms of development of multimorbidity in the elderly. European Respiratory Journal, 2015; 45:790-806. Permission pending
Figure 4
Figure 4
Cumulative effects of chronic disease, functional limitations and geriatric syndromes. Reproduced from Koroukian S et al. Multimorbidity Redefined: Prospective Health Outcomes and the Cumulative Effect of Co-Occurring Conditions. Preventing Chronic Disease, 2015;12:140478. Open Access (Figure 1 in original)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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