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Gender and Socioeconomic Differences in the Prevalence and Patterns of Multimorbidity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China

Author

Listed:
  • Yaqin Zhong

    (School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China)

  • Hanqing Xi

    (School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China)

  • Xiaojun Guo

    (School of Science, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China)

  • Tiantian Wang

    (School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China)

  • Yanan Wang

    (School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China)

  • Jian Wang

    (Dong Fureng Institute of Economic and Social Development, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

Abstract

Background: Multimorbidity has become a global public health concern. Knowledge about the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity will provide essential information for public intervention and clinical management. This study aimed to examine gender and socioeconomic differences in the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity among a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older Chinese individuals. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Latent class analysis was conducted to discriminate among the multimorbidity patterns. Multinomial logit analysis was performed to explore gender and socioeconomic factors associated with various multimorbidity patterns. Results: A total of 19,559 respondents over 45 years old were included in the study. The findings showed that 56.73% of the respondents reported multimorbidity, with significantly higher proportions among women. Four patterns, namely “ relatively healthy class ”, “ respiratory class ”, “ stomach-arthritis class ” and “ vascular class ”, were identified. The women were more likely to be in the stomach-arthritis class. Respondents with a higher SES, including higher education, urban residence, higher consumption, and medical insurance, had a higher probability of being in the vascular class. Conclusions: Significant gender and socioeconomic differences were observed in the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity. The examination of gender and socioeconomic differences for multimorbidity patterns has great implications for clinical practice and health policy. The results may provide insights to aid in the management of multimorbidity patients and improve health resource allocation.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaqin Zhong & Hanqing Xi & Xiaojun Guo & Tiantian Wang & Yanan Wang & Jian Wang, 2022. "Gender and Socioeconomic Differences in the Prevalence and Patterns of Multimorbidity among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16956-:d:1006089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaoyan Lei & Yuqing Hu & John J. McArdle & James P. Smith & Yaohui Zhao, 2012. "Gender Differences in Cognition among Older Adults in China," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 47(4), pages 951-971.
    2. Ignatios Ioakeim-Skoufa & Beatriz Poblador-Plou & Jonás Carmona-Pírez & Jesús Díez-Manglano & Rokas Navickas & Luis Andrés Gimeno-Feliu & Francisca González-Rubio & Elena Jureviciene & Laimis Dambraus, 2020. "Multimorbidity Patterns in the General Population: Results from the EpiChron Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Bomi Park & Hye Ah Lee & Hyesook Park, 2019. "Use of latent class analysis to identify multimorbidity patterns and associated factors in Korean adults aged 50 years and older," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Xiaowen Wang & Shanshan Yao & Mengying Wang & Guiying Cao & Zishuo Chen & Ziting Huang & Yao Wu & Ling Han & Beibei Xu & Yonghua Hu, 2020. "Multimorbidity among Two Million Adults in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
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