Multimorbidity clusters and their contribution to well being among the oldest old: results based on a nationally representative sample in Germany

Aim: Our aim was to identify multimorbidity clusters and, in particular, to examine their contribution to wellbeing outcomes among the oldest old in Germany.

Methods: Data were taken from the large nationally representative D80+ study including community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and over residing in Germany (n = 8,773). The mean age was 85.6 years (SD: 4.1). Based on 21 chronic conditions, latent class analysis was carried out to explore multi morbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) clusters. Widely used tools were applied to quantify well-being outcomes.

Results: Approximately nine out of ten people aged 80 and over living in Germany were multimorbid. Four multimorbidity clusters were identified: relatively healthy class (30.2 %), musculoskeletal class (44.8 %), mental illness class (8.6 %), and high morbidity class (16.4 %). Being part of the mental disorders cluster was consistently linked to reduced well-being (in terms of low life satisfaction, high loneliness and lower odds of meaning in life), followed by membership in the high morbidity cluster.