Complex multimorbidity in hemodialysis patients: Study in a metropolitan region in Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this article was to analyze the factors associated with complex multimorbidity (CMM) among hemodialysis patients in a metropolitan region in southeastern Brazil. To this end, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out with 1,024 individuals in the year 2019. CMM data were collected through the application of a questionnaire to hemodialysis patients. The binary logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between independent variables and CMM. The prevalence of CMM was 81% and the results indicated that: living in cities with a low rate of general mortality (OR = 0.395, 95%CI = 0.179–0.870), being aged between 18 and 29 (OR = 0.402, 95%CI = 0.196–0.825), having an elementary education (OR = 0.536, 95%CI = 0.290–0.966) and assessing health as good/very good (OR = 0.446, 95%CI = 0.301–0.661) are factors that reduced the chances of having CMM, whereas a longer period of hemodialysis (OR = 1.779 and 95%CI = 1.057–2.997) increased the chances of CMM. The findings show that characteristics of the social and individual context are associated with CMM in hemodialysis patients, signaling the need for public health policies that include monitoring the complex multimorbidity condition among individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment.