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
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People |
ORCID iD |
Sarah Salway (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
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 |