Association rules analysis on patterns of multimorbidity in adults: based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in population with different genders and age ranges.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database.

PARTICIPANTS

12 576 patients.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity.

RESULTS

High cholesterol had the highest prevalence in all population (33.4 (95% CI: 32.0 to 34.9)) and males. In females <65 years, the most prevalent disease was sleep disorder (32.1 (95% CI: 29.6 to 34.5)) while in females ≥65 years, hypertension was the most prevalent disease (63.9 (95% CI: 59.9 to 67.9)). Hypertension and high cholesterol were associated with the highest support (occur together most frequently) in all population regardless of genders. Hypertension displayed the highest betweenness centrality (mediating role in the network) followed by high cholesterol and arthritis in all population. For males aged <65 years, hypertension and high cholesterol presented the highest betweenness centrality. In males ≥65 years, hypertension, high cholesterol and arthritis were the top three diseases of degree centrality (direct association with other conditions). As for females ≥65 years, hypertension showed the highest betweenness centrality followed by high cholesterol and arthritis. The associations of hypertension, arthritis and one other item with high cholesterol presented the highest support in all population. In males, the associations of depression, hypertension with sleep disorders had the highest lift (the chance of co-occurrence of the conditions and significant association). Among females, the associations of depression, arthritis with sleep disorders had the highest lift.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension and high cholesterol were prevalent in all population, regardless of females and males. Hypertension and high cholesterol, arthritis and hypertension, and diabetes and hypertension were more likely to coexist. The findings of this study might help make plans for the management and primary care of people with one or more diseases.