GENDER AND AGE STRUCTURE OF MULTIPLE CHRONIC DISEASES IN PATIENTS OF RYAZAN REGION

The study objective is to investigate gender and age structure of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) among patients seeking medical help from a primary care physician.

Materials and methods. In total, 1940 patients under the care of primary care physicians in several polyclinics of Ryazan and the Ryazan Region were examined: 646 men and 1294 women aged 18–99. The list of conditions included cardiovascular disorders, lung, gastrointestinal, kidney diseases, oncological diseases, diabetes mellitus, etc. All diagnoses were made per the generally accepted criteria. The patients were divided into 5 age groups; age and gender structure of MCC, as well as polymorbidity index (total number of conditions per 1 patient), were determined.

Results. Among all patients with MCC in all age groups, the number of women was larger than men. In the structure of MCC, predominance of cardiovascular disorders, diseases of the kidneys and joints was observed. With age, the fraction of patients in whom the majority of organs and systems was affected increased. However, in older patients, peptic ulcer disease, diabetes mellitus, oncological and autoimmune diseases were comparatively rare. In men, the mean number of diseases per 1 patient was higher, but after 75 years of age the number  of conditions in women exceeded the number in men. In obese patients, age increase led to quicker polymorbidity increase than in normal patients. The gender differences consisted of the prevalence of stomach/duodenal peptic ulcer, non-specific lung diseases, obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities in men, and kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2 in women.

Conclusion. The main causes of polymorbidity are old age and obesity. In the structure of MCC, cardiovascular diseases, kidney and joint disorders are the most common. A gender difference in the incidence of some diseases is observed.

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