Differences Between Younger and Older US Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions

INTRODUCTION: Adults with multiple (≥2) chronic conditions (MCCs) account for a large portion of US health care costs. Despite the increase in MCC rates with age, most people with MCCs are working age. The study objective was to compare adults with MCCs who were younger than 65 years with those aged 65 years or older on selected measures to better understand the differences between groups and inform interventions that could lower health care costs. METHODS: Data from respondents to the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (N = 201,711) were used to compare adults aged 65 or older with MCCs with those younger than 65 with MCCs in unadjusted and adjusted analyses on chronic conditions, quality of life measures, disability status, access to health care, and modifiable risk factors. MCCs were based on up to 12 chronic conditions (heart disease, stroke, asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high cholesterol, cognitive impairment, diabetes, depression, chronic kidney disease, cancer other than skin, and hypertension). RESULTS: Consistent with 80% of all adults being younger than 65, more than 60% of adults with MCCs were younger than 65 years. Compared with adults aged 65 or older with MCCs, those younger than 65 were more likely to report asthma, cognitive impairment, depression, smoking, obesity, poorer access to health care, disability, and worse quality of life in both unadjusted and adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION: To decrease the burden of chronic diseases, adults younger than 65 with MCCs should get the treatment they need to reduce the chance of developing more chronic conditions as they age. The ultimate goal is to improve health status and reduce health care costs for everyone with MCCs.