Psychosocial patient characteristics and GP-registered chronic morbidity: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to get a profile of patients who are vulnerable to get multiple chronic, recurrent or high-impact diseases in a limited time period. We studied the incidence rates of morbidity and multimorbidity, and the influence of psychosocial characteristics on their occurrences.


METHODS
Cohort study with 3551 subjects. Baseline measurement of psychosocial characteristics and a 2-year follow-up period for morbidity. The relations were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
After adjustment for basic socio-demographic variables, a high internal locus of control belief was found to be protective [odds ratio (OR)=0.82] for the occurrence of morbidity, negative life events increased the risk (OR=1.22). Characteristics specifically protective for the occurrence of multimorbidity as compared to monomorbidity were: a high internal locus of control belief (OR=0.73), living as a couple or in a family as compared to living alone (OR=0.68) and a large social network (OR=0.41).


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that certain patient characteristics are specifically related to the occurrence of multimorbidity. This provides opportunities for the future development of preventive interventions.
van den Akker
M
M
Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. marjan.vandenakker@hag.unimaas.nl
Buntinx
F
F
Metsemakers
J F
JF
van der Aa
M
M
Knottnerus
J A
JA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support