Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort
Abstract Background We sought to: [1] estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity at age 46–48 in the 1970 British Cohort Study—a nationally representative sample in mid-life; and [2] examine the association between early-life characteristics and mid-life multimorbidity. Method A prospective longitudi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11291-w |
| _version_ | 1818353967557509120 |
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| author | Dawid Gondek David Bann Matt Brown Mark Hamer Alice Sullivan George B. Ploubidis |
| author_facet | Dawid Gondek David Bann Matt Brown Mark Hamer Alice Sullivan George B. Ploubidis |
| author_sort | Dawid Gondek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background We sought to: [1] estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity at age 46–48 in the 1970 British Cohort Study—a nationally representative sample in mid-life; and [2] examine the association between early-life characteristics and mid-life multimorbidity. Method A prospective longitudinal birth cohort of a community-based sample from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70). Participants included all surviving children born in mainland Britain in a single week in April 1970; the analytical sample included those with valid data at age 46–48 (n = 7951; 2016–2018). The main outcome was multimorbidity, which was operationalised as a binary indicator of two or more long-term health conditions where at least one of these conditions was of physical health. It also included symptom complexes (e.g., chronic pain), sensory impairments, and alcohol problems. Results Prevalence of mid-life multimorbidity was 33.8% at age 46–48. Those with fathers from unskilled social occupational class (vs professional) at birth had 43% higher risk of mid-life multimorbidity (risk ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.77). After accounting for potential child and family confounding, an additional kilogram of birthweight was associated with 10% reduced risk of multimorbidity (risk ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.84 to 0.96); a decrease of one body mass index point at age 10 was associated with 3% lower risk (risk ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.05); one standard deviation higher cognitive ability score at age 10 corresponded to 4% lower risk (risk ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.00); an increase of one internalising problem at age 16 was equated with 4% higher risk (risk ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.08) and of one externalising problem at age 16 with 6% higher risk (risk ratio = 1.06, 1.03 to 1.09). Conclusion Prevalence of multimorbidity was high in mid-life (33.8% at age 46–48) in Britain. Potentially modifiable early-life exposures, including early-life social circumstances, cognitive, physical and emotional development, were associated with elevated risk of mid-life multimorbidity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:17:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c3418b7be394fa89f800636a45bfdc1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:17:56Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c3418b7be394fa89f800636a45bfdc12022-12-21T23:34:14ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582021-07-0121111110.1186/s12889-021-11291-wPrevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohortDawid Gondek0David Bann1Matt Brown2Mark Hamer3Alice Sullivan4George B. Ploubidis5Centre for Longitudinal Studies (UCL Institute of Education)Centre for Longitudinal Studies (UCL Institute of Education)Centre for Longitudinal Studies (UCL Institute of Education)Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College LondonCentre for Longitudinal Studies (UCL Institute of Education)Centre for Longitudinal Studies (UCL Institute of Education)Abstract Background We sought to: [1] estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity at age 46–48 in the 1970 British Cohort Study—a nationally representative sample in mid-life; and [2] examine the association between early-life characteristics and mid-life multimorbidity. Method A prospective longitudinal birth cohort of a community-based sample from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70). Participants included all surviving children born in mainland Britain in a single week in April 1970; the analytical sample included those with valid data at age 46–48 (n = 7951; 2016–2018). The main outcome was multimorbidity, which was operationalised as a binary indicator of two or more long-term health conditions where at least one of these conditions was of physical health. It also included symptom complexes (e.g., chronic pain), sensory impairments, and alcohol problems. Results Prevalence of mid-life multimorbidity was 33.8% at age 46–48. Those with fathers from unskilled social occupational class (vs professional) at birth had 43% higher risk of mid-life multimorbidity (risk ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 1.77). After accounting for potential child and family confounding, an additional kilogram of birthweight was associated with 10% reduced risk of multimorbidity (risk ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.84 to 0.96); a decrease of one body mass index point at age 10 was associated with 3% lower risk (risk ratio = 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.05); one standard deviation higher cognitive ability score at age 10 corresponded to 4% lower risk (risk ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.00); an increase of one internalising problem at age 16 was equated with 4% higher risk (risk ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.08) and of one externalising problem at age 16 with 6% higher risk (risk ratio = 1.06, 1.03 to 1.09). Conclusion Prevalence of multimorbidity was high in mid-life (33.8% at age 46–48) in Britain. Potentially modifiable early-life exposures, including early-life social circumstances, cognitive, physical and emotional development, were associated with elevated risk of mid-life multimorbidity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11291-wDeterminants of healthRisk factorsMid-lifeUKBirth cohorts |
| spellingShingle | Dawid Gondek David Bann Matt Brown Mark Hamer Alice Sullivan George B. Ploubidis Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort BMC Public Health Determinants of health Risk factors Mid-life UK Birth cohorts |
| title | Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort |
| title_full | Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort |
| title_short | Prevalence and early-life determinants of mid-life multimorbidity: evidence from the 1970 British birth cohort |
| title_sort | prevalence and early life determinants of mid life multimorbidity evidence from the 1970 british birth cohort |
| topic | Determinants of health Risk factors Mid-life UK Birth cohorts |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11291-w |
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