Effects of a multiple chronic condition (CC) remote monitoring program on clinical outcomes among older adults

Older adults are faced with an increased risk of comorbid chronic disease such as diabetes. While multiple health behavior change interventions (MHCIs) are known to improve clinical outcomes more than targeted interventions, less is known whether such effects persist in older populations. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of multiple chronic condition (CC) remote monitoring program enrollment and mental health program enrollment on glucose and blood pressure reduction, adjusting for self-monitoring behaviors. In a sample of 594 older adults (age 55+, 14% 65+ years, 46.8% female) evaluated over a 12-month period, statistical models showed that older adults with uncontrolled diabetes (A1c >= 7.0%) had a 7.9 pt. reduction in blood glucose for each additional program enrolled and a 22.7 pt. reduction in blood glucose when enrolled in mental health compared to those not enrolled. Similarly, older adults with uncontrolled hypertension (BP >= 130/80) had a 4.8 pt. reduction in systolic blood pressure for each additional program enrolled and a 7.2 pt. reduction in systolic blood pressure when enrolled in mental health compared to those not enrolled. The findings indicate the potential for multiprogram digital health interventions that incorporate mental health to further improve clinical outcomes in older adults suffering from multiple chronic diseases, namely diabetes and hypertension.

Medication understanding and health literacy among patients with multiple chronic conditions: a study conducted in Bangladesh

Objectives: Medication understanding is critical for patients who suffer from multiple chronic conditions in order to reduce medication error and is often associated with poor health outcomesand low adherence. This study aims to identify the gap of medication knowledge among multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh, in order to aid physicians and other healthcare providers in improving health literacy.Methods: Individual interviews of a convenience sample of multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh were heldwhere they were asked a number of questions for assessing medication related literacy.Results: More than 26% patients failed to cite the brand name of all their prescribed medications while the rate of patients not knowing the generic names was far worse (88.1%). Nearly 1 out of every 4 patients did not know the purpose of all their medications and more than half of the participants (55%) did not know the strengths of their drugs. While knowledge about medication routes and regimen was satisfactory, awareness regarding risk factors of medicine was lowest of all. Only 1 out of every 4 patients had a habit of reading drug information leaflet. Patient’s ability to correctly state the purpose of their medication seemed to be positively associated with age (p=0.004) and negatively associated with number of medicines taken (p=0.03).Conclusions: Many patients demonstrated poor health literacy regarding medication. Routine review of medications from physician or health provider can significantly improve their health literacy, leading to better treatment outcome and medication adherence.

MULTIPLE CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND RISK OF DEMENTIA AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

This study explores the relationship between the presence of multiple chronic condition and risk of dementia and cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) among older Americans. The study sample included 617 participants aged 70 years and older from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS). An expert consensus panel of the ADAMS data provided each participant a cognitive diagnosis into 1) no cognitive impairment, 2) CIND, or 3) dementia. The presence of multiple chronic condition was defined as having three or more chronic conditions in this study (e.g., heart attack, stroke, respiratory problems, cancer, hypertension, diabetes). Functional limitation, depression, cognitive activity engagement, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and sociodemographic characteristics were included as covariates. A multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that individuals who have multiple chronic conditions have increased odds of being diagnosed with CIND versus no cognitive impairment controlling for other covariates. However, multiple chronic condition was not associated with increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia versus no cognitive impairment. Conclusion: The finding suggests that the presence of multiple chronic conditions may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in later life. However, further investigation using a longitudinal design is needed to better understand the relationship between cognition and multiple chronic conditions.