Epidemiology of multimorbidity in Nepal: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abhinav Sinha, S Shradha Suman, Narayan Subedi, Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Mukesh Poudel, Arohi Chauhan, Banamber Sahoo, Marjan van den Akker, David Weller, Stewart W Mercer, Sanghamitra Pati*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is rising in low-and middle-income countries such as Nepal, yet the research has not gained pace in this field. We aimed to systematically review the existing multimorbidity literature in Nepal and estimate the prevalence and map its risk factors and consequences.

METHODS: We reviewed data collated from PubMed, Embase and CINAHL by including original studies that reported prevalence of multimorbidity in Nepal. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-sectional Studies. The summary of the review is presented both qualitatively as well as through meta-analysis to give pooled prevalence. We prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024499598).

RESULTS: We identified 423 studies out of which seven were included in this review. All studies were conducted in a community setting except one which was hospital based. The prevalence reported across various studies ranged from 13.96% to 70.1%. The pooled prevalence of multimorbidity was observed to be 25.05% (95% CI: 16.99 to 34.09). The number of conditions used to assess multimorbidity ranged from four to nine. The major risk factors identified were increasing age, urban residence, and lower literacy rates.

CONCLUSION: A wide variance in the prevalence of multimorbidity was observed. Moreover, multimorbidity assessment tool/conditions considered for assessing multimorbidity were heterogeneous.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity
Volume14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Sept 2024

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • multimorbidity
  • Nepal
  • epidemiology

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