Family-Level Multimorbidity among Older Adults in India: Looking through a Syndemic Lens

Abstract

Most evidence on multimorbidity is drawn from an individual level assessment despite the fact that multimorbidity is modulated by shared risk factors prevailing within the household environment. Our study reports the magnitude of family-level multimorbidity, its correlates, and healthcare expenditure among older adults using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), wave-1. LASI is a nationwide survey amongst older adults aged ≥45 years conducted in 2017–2018. We included (n = 22,526) families defined as two or more members coresiding in the same household. We propose a new term, “family-level multimorbidity”, defined as two or more members of a family having multimorbidity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess correlates, expressed as adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval. Family-level multimorbidity was prevalent among 44.46% families, whereas 41.8% had conjugal multimorbidity. Amongst siblings, 42.86% reported multimorbidity and intergenerational (three generations) was 46.07%. Family-level multimorbidity was predominantly associated with the urban and affluent class. Healthcare expenditure increased with more multimorbid individuals in a family. Our findings depict family-centred interventions that may be considered to mitigate multimorbidity. Future studies should explore family-level multimorbidity to help inform programs and policies in strategising preventive as well as curative services with the family as a unit.