Falls among older adults represent a growing public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like China. While many studies have linked chronic conditions to fall risks, less is known about how patterns of multimorbidity—having multiple chronic diseases—affect the progression or reversal of fall states over time. This study, led by researchers from Peking University and the Chinese PLA General Hospital, examined data from over 14,000 middle-aged and older Chinese adults to explore how different combinations of chronic illnesses influence fall trajectories. Using a longitudinal dataset from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the research identified four major multimorbidity patterns and analyzed their impact on transitions between fall states and death.
The findings reveal that individuals with the “osteo-cardiovascular” multimorbidity pattern—those with both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases—face the greatest risk of worsening fall states and mortality, and the least likelihood of recovery. Compared to healthy participants, these individuals were over twice as likely to die and significantly less likely to recover from severe falls. This research highlights the need for clinicians and policymakers to focus fall prevention efforts on patients with high-risk multimorbidity profiles. The study’s insights offer a scientific basis for more targeted health interventions and better allocation of healthcare resources for aging populations.
