Prevalence and risk factors associated with the most common multimorbidity among seniors in Canada

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and gender-specific risk factors of the most common multimorbidity among elderly Canadians (aged 65 years and older). This study used a national survey, the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2018 cycle. We defined multimorbidity as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions. Survey-specific procedures were employed to identify gender-specific risk factors. Arthritis and Diabetes were the most common multimorbidity combination among Canadian seniors. Gender-specific risk factors were age and education in females and life stress in males. BMI was significantly associated with multimorbidity in both men and women. The findings will enhance our understanding of multimorbidity, guide future research, and inform strategic planning for chronic diseases in Canadian seniors.