Multimorbidity in Older Adults

Jung, Hee Won; Kim, Kwang Il

doi:2014.18.2.65

Ann Geriatr Med Res > Volume 18(2); 2014 > Article

Review Article

Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society 2014;18(2):65-71.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2014.18.2.65 Published online June 30, 2014.

Multimorbidity in Older Adults

Hee Won Jung, Kwang Il Kim

Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea. kikim907@snu.ac.kr

다중이환의 개념과 노인의학적 의의

정희원⦁김광일

Abstract

Multimorbidity is one of the common clinical characteristics in older patients and its occurrence rises with age. With the increase of older population, physicians should know the clinical significance of multimorbidity in managing older patients. Multimorbidity focuses on the findings of multiple diseases in a single patient and interactions between diseases and a patient. It has been reported that the prevalence of multimorbidity is over 50% in elderly people and co-occurrence of certain chronic diseases is often observed in patients with multimorbidity. Multimorbidity is significantly associated with higher mortality, increased disability, impaired quality of life, and increased medical costs. Unfortunately, current guidelines do not address enough for older patients with multimorbidity. Simple and fragmented approach for multiple medical conditions in older patients may lead to many clinical problems including polypharmacy, iatrogenic events, and increased medical cost. Accordingly, comprehensive geriatric assessment and multidimensional approach for this population should be encouraged.

Key Words: Multimorbidity, Aged, Geriatric assessment