Patterns, predictors and implications of multi-morbidity: exploring the co-incidence of depression and other types of chronic illhealth

Lead Research Organisation: Sheffield Hallam University
Department Name: Faculty of Health and Wellbeing

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The findings from this project confirm high levels of
comorbidity, and particularly coincidence of depression and
chronic physical health conditions, among a large sample
of Sheffield residents; with older age and low
socioeconomic status being positively associated with such
comorbidity. Our results also strongly suggest that the
presence of depression contributes to non-elective
inpatient use and risk of mortality irrespective of chronic
physical health conditions, but that the risks are particularly
high for people who are co-morbid with depression.
There are a number of limitations in using cross sectional,
self-reported health measures that mean that other
explanations cannot be completely ruled out, particularly
the possibility of undetected morbidities or more severe
physical morbidity among those with depression.
Nevertheless, the findings are consistent with other recent
work reported above and indicate the need to understand
more about how depression may complicate care and
contribute to poorer outcomes.
The findings suggest that better management of
depression among people with chronic health conditions
has the potential to improve the lives of individual patients
and make better use of NHS resources. The results
therefore imply that greater efforts should be made to
diagnose and treat depression in primary care, particularly
among older people and those with chronic health
conditions. Though some relevant initiatives are underway
in Sheffield and nationally, this project suggests the
importance of expanding such work so that screening tools
for depression are used routinely by a wider range of
community staff; a recommendation that was endorsed by
clinicians and practitioners at our Project Advisory Group
meetings. More generally, the findings underscore the
need for co- and multimorbidity to receive greater
attention among health and social researchers
Exploitation Route The findings have informed the development of a programme of work on mental illhealth and physical illhealth now being undertaken as part of CLAHRC Yorkshire & Humber.
Sectors Healthcare
URL http://www.restore.ac.uk/UPTAP/project39.html
 
Description The findings have been used within Sheffield public health and partners across South Yorkshire to confirm the importance of considering multiple health conditions side-by-side. An ongoing programme of work is now underway as part of CLAHRC Y&H which is looking at coincidence of mental health and physical health and how to intervene to improve outcomes in people with such co-morbidities. This project has formed part of the background to the ongoing work.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Healthcare
Impact Types Policy & public services