Indian J Med Res. 2026 Aug;164(2):325-330. doi: 10.25259/IJMR_81_2026.
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives A considerable proportion of the older populations have been suffering from stroke multimorbidity. Post-stroke complications often affect the overall well-being of individuals. This study assesses the trends, patterns, and determinants of stroke multimorbidity. Methods We used data from three waves of the World Health Organization study on global ageing and adult health (WHO-SAGE) and analysed individuals aged 50 and above years (Wave I, 7,150 individuals, Wave II, 6,823 individuals, and Wave III, 6,719 individuals) who reported a physician diagnosis of stroke. We analysed trends and patterns of stroke multimorbidity across three waves of WHO-SAGE. Stroke multimorbidity was also analysed with respect to the socioeconomic characteristics of study participants. Results We found a significant increase in the prevalence of stroke multimorbidity over one and a half decade (1,050 per 100,000 to 2,410 per 100,000). The burden of stroke multimorbidity increased steadily, mainly among individuals suffering from two or more long-term conditions. Prevalence of stroke multimorbidity was much higher among older people aged 80 yr and above in wave 3 as compared with wave 1, a relative increase of around 200%. An older individual with no formal education showed an increased prevalence of stroke multimorbidity, a relative change of 102% in last one and a half decade. Interpretation and conclusions This study demonstrated a significant increase in the prevalence of stroke multimorbidity over the last one and a half decade (2007-2020), which considerably varied by age group, sex, place of residence, education, and wealth quintile.
PMID:42555692 | DOI:10.25259/IJMR_81_2026