Factors associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity among primary care patients in southern China

Wang, H.H.X. , Wong, M.C.S., Wong, S.Y.S., Tang, J.L., Yan, B.P., Yu, C.M., Wang, J.J., Li, D.K.T. and Griffiths, S.M. (2013) Factors associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity among primary care patients in southern China. International Journal of Cardiology, 164(2), S8-S9. (doi: 10.1016/S0167-5273(13)70548-5)

Abstract

<b>Purpose</b> Management of the rising prevalence of long-term conditions is one of the major challenges facing China’s current primary care reform. Better understanding of factors associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity is necessary to develop a comprehensive strategy to support primary care physicians in China to provide patient-centred and continuous care. This study aimed to examine factors on individual socio-economic status in relation to the prevalence of cardiovascular multimorbidity among patients in primary care.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> The study settings were the community health centres (CHCs) in Guangdong province in southern China. Multistage cluster sampling methods were adopted to select patients aged above 18 who had a usual source of primary care. Socio-demographic characteristics and health care information of patients were collected during November 2010 to April 2011 by on-site face-to-face interviews and paper-based medical record. Factors associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity were explored using one binary logistic regression model.<p></p> <b>Results</b> The data from a total number of 5,370 Chinese primary care patients were analysed and 7.1% (95% CI: 6.4–7.8%) developed at least two cardiovascular conditions. However, more than one fourth (27.5%; 95% CI: 24.4–30.7%) of patients aged above 65 years were cardiovascularmultimorbid. Advanced age (aged above 65 years; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.48; 95% CI: 4.21–7.13, p<0.001), the presence of household registry (aOR 3.65; 95% CI: 2.41–5.55, p<0.001), and higher household income per head (aOR 1.57; 95% CI: 1.19–2.06, p=0.001) were factors positively associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular multimorbidity among Chinese patients.<p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> Our study implied that cardiovascular multimorbidity were more likely to occur among older patients and those who had higher income with household registry in the primary care setting. Further longitudinal studies are also needed to explore the associations with cardiovascular multimortality thus to provide evidence on how best to organise tailor-made disease management services for people suffering from cardiovascular multimorbidity.

• Item Type: Articles (Other)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wang, Professor Haoxiang
• Authors: Wang, H.H.X., Wong, M.C.S., Wong, S.Y.S., Tang, J.L., Yan, B.P., Yu, C.M., Wang, J.J., Li, D.K.T., and Griffiths, S.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: International Journal of Cardiology
• ISSN: 0167-5273
• ISSN (Online): 1874-1754