Desigualdade socioeconômica da multimorbidade entre adultos no Brasil: um estudo nacional, 2014

Abstract

Multimorbidity is world-wide studied among the elderly population presenting less scientific evidences among adults. There is also an association between the prevalence of multimorbidity and the socioeconomic level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of socioeconomic indicators with the occurrence of multimorbidity among Brazilian adults, stratified by sex. A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil (2013-2014). The target population was adults between 20 and 59 years. The dependent variable evaluated was the presence of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases). The exposure variable was socioeconomic level, assessed based on economic class and educational level. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Concentration Index (CIX). 23,329 thousand adults (52.8% women) were analyzed. The presence of multimorbidity was 10.9% (95% CI: 10.1; 11.7) with 14.5% (95% CI: 13.5; 15.4) among women and 6.8% (95% CI). %: 5.9; 7.8) among men. The pattern of multimorbidity was similar according to socioeconomic indicators and in the inequality analyzes, a statistically significant difference was observed for men: absolute inequality for those with higher purchasing power (IBS = 3.6) and relative inequality for those with higher education (CIX = 7.8). The epidemiology of multimorbidity thematic is relevant among adults. As for the association with socioeconomic indicators, there is a need for further studies on the subject, since the present results differ from the literature up to date.