Deconstructing Complex Multimorbidity in the Very Old: Findings from the Newcastle 85+ Study

Table 2

Sample characteristics: 710 participants with complete data on all 20 conditions.

Age, mean (SD) years	85.5 (0.4)
Female, % ()	59.9 (425)
White ethnicity, % ()	99.6 (707)
Living arrangements, % ()
Standard (nonsupported) housing	80.7 (573)
Sheltered housing	13.4 (95)
Institution	5.9 (42)
Years in full-time education, % ()
0–9	64.7 (458)
10-11	22.7 (161)
12+	12.6 (89)
Diseases, % ()
Hypertension	57.8 (410)
Ischaemic heart disease	36.1 (256)
Heart failure	11.1 (79)
Atrial fibrillation or flutter	13.5 (96)
Cerebrovascular disease	21.1 (150)
Peripheral vascular disease	7.3 (52)
Osteoarthritis	57.0 (405)
Inflammatory arthritis	3.8 (27)
Osteoporosis	12.1 (86)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	16.5 (117)
Asthma	4.1 (29)
Diabetes mellitus	13.5 (96)
Thyroid disease	14.8 (105)
Cancer within 5 years	6.2 (44)
Renal impairment	23.8 (169)
Geriatric conditions, % ()
Urinary incontinence	31.3 (222)
Falls	17.2 (122)
Visual impairment	36.2 (257)
Hearing impairment	60.4 (429)
Cognitive impairment	6.9 (49)
Disability score, median (IQR)	3 (1–6)

Total number of activities of daily living performed with difficulty or requiring an aid/appliance or personal help [17].