Patterns, predictors and impications of multimorbidity: exploring the co-incidence of depression and other types of chronic ill-health

The UK has an ageing population and a rising prevalence of long-term illhealth. The burden of long-term illness is felt disproportionately by lower socioeconomic groups, with diseases of the heart and circulatory system, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory diseases and mental ill-health being most common. Responding to the challenges presented by long-term illhealth is a major concern across health and welfare policy arenas. Within this policy debate, the high prevalence of 'multi-morbidity' is receiving increased attention. While most research and services are based on a single disease paradigm, in reality many individuals have more than one long-term condition simultaneously and the co-existence of mental and physical illhealth is common. There is a dearth of research that examines such overlapping health problems and policy and service responses frequently fail to recognise and meet these complex needs. This report involves statistical analyses of a high quality health and wellbeing survey conducted among Sheffield residents in 2000 to examine: •the patterns and predictors of 'multi-morbidity' (particularly the co-existence of mental and physical conditions); •the consequences of 'multi-morbidity' for healthcare use and social wellbeing; •the implications of these patterns and relationships for health and welfare policy and practice responses.