Multiple chronic conditions and limitations in activities of daily living in a community-based sample of older adults in New York City, 2009

Nancy L. Ralph, Thelma J. Mielenz, Hilary Parton, Anne Marie Flatley, Lorna E. Thorpe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nationally, 60% to 75% of older adults have multiple (2 or more) chronic conditions (MCCs), and the burden is even higher among low-income, racial/ethnic minority populations. MCCs limit activities of daily living (ADLs), yet this association is not well characterized outside of clinical populations. We examined the association of MCCs with ADLs in a racially/ethnically diverse population of low-income older adults living in New York City public housing.

METHODS: A representative sample of 1,036 New York City Housing Authority residents aged 65 or older completed a telephone survey in June 2009. We examined the association of up to 5 chronic conditions with basic ADL (BADL) limitations, adjusting for potential confounders by using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Of respondents, 28.7% had at least 1 BADL limitation; 92.9% had at least 1 chronic condition, and 79.0% had MCCs. We observed a graded association between at least 1 BADL limitation and number of chronic conditions (using 0 or 1 condition as the reference group): adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 3 conditions was 2.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.9); AOR for 4 conditions, 4.3 (95% CI, 2.5-7.6); and AOR for 5 conditions, 9.2 (95% CI, 4.3-19.5).

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of BADL limitations is high among low-income older adults and increases with number of chronic conditions. Initiating prevention of additional conditions and treating disease constellations earlier to decrease BADL limitations may improve aging outcomes in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number130159
Pages (from-to)E199
JournalPreventing Chronic Disease
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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