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Friday, May 11, 2012

A sick country

A team of researchers analysing 1.75 million people in Scotland found that nearly a quarter had two or more chronic diseases.

Rising numbers of people are living with more than two long-term disorders, called "multimorbidity", which could include coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and depression. In general, people with multimorbidity are more likely to live in deprived areas and have a poorer quality of life. Their care is fragmented because they see a number of different specialists. "Existing approaches need to be complemented by support for the work of generalists, providing continuity, co-ordination, and above all a personal approach for people with multimorbidity." explained the report

The study of nearly two million patients registered with 314 medical practices in Scotland showed that people living in the most deprived areas were particularly affected by long-term physical and mental disorders. These disorders were more common among poorer communities and occurred 10-to-15 years earlier than among those living in affluent areas.

Dr Chris Salisbury, from the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol, said GPs in more deprived areas should have lower caseloads to account for higher levels of multiple morbidity.

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