The UK has an ageing population. A 2018 study of multimorbidity in England found that 54% of people over 65 had multimorbidity in 2015. This is expected to rise to 68% by 2035, with 17% of people over 65 expected to have four or more conditions.
National guidelines tend to focus on single conditions. People with multimorbidity may have their conditions managed individually without due consideration of the overall burden of their diseases and treatments. Recognition of this prompted the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other international organisations to develop guidelines on managing multimorbidity. These focus on regular comprehensive review of the person’s health and circumstances.
This trial assessed a care model that incorporated all strategies recommended by guidelines.