Sri Lankans increasingly burdened by multiple long-standing health problems.

What is it about?

This study examined the prevalence of multimorbidity (having two or more chronic diseases) in patients over 20 years old with at least one non-communicable disease (NCD) in Sri Lanka, a country transitioning from lower-middle to upper-middle-income tier with a public health system accessible to citizens free of charge. The patients were sampled from a University General Practice (Primary Care) Department and a Medical Outpatient Clinic of a University Hospital in Colombo, the commercial capital of the country. The study found that 64.1% of patients had multimorbidity. Surprisingly, 44.44% of relatively young patients aged 20-35 had at least two diseases, and by the time they reached 50 years old, nearly 64% had two or more NCDs. A fourth of the sample was affected by co-morbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and the combinations of coronary heart disease with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also found to be significantly prevalent. Nearly 7% of those aged over 65 years had four or more disorders. The study also found the presence of mental disorders to increase as the number of disorders increases. The authors emphasise the need for an integrated healthcare model to manage multimorbidity, including mental health, in Sri Lanka.

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Photo by Eddy Billard on Unsplash

Photo by Eddy Billard on Unsplash

Why is it important?

A study on the prevalence of multimorbidity, such as the one summarized above, is important for several reasons. First, multimorbidity is becoming increasingly common, particularly in aging populations, and can significantly impact an individual's health and quality of life. Rising health ailments among the working-age population may pose a significant toll on society and the economy of a developing nation such as Sri Lanka. Therefore, understanding the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity is critical for healthcare providers to design effective treatment plans that address all of a patient's health needs. Secondly, such studies can provide insight into the risk factors and underlying causes of multimorbidity, which can help guide preventative measures and early intervention strategies. This is especially important in low and middle-income countries, which often lack the resources to provide comprehensive healthcare services and where the burden of chronic diseases is increasing rapidly. Finally, a study of this sort is important because it can help policymakers make informed decisions about how to allocate healthcare resources and design healthcare delivery systems that are better equipped to manage patients with multiple chronic diseases. The authors of this study emphasize the need for an integrated healthcare model to manage multimorbidity that includes mental health, highlighting the importance of considering the whole person and providing comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses all of their health needs.

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