Investigating correlates of chronic multimorbidity prevalence in Ireland: Evidence from Irish health survey 2015 and 2019

Objectives The prevalence of chronic conditions in Ireland is on the rise, primarily due to a decrease in mortality rates from chronic diseases, as well as an increase in the occurrence of chronic diseases within the population. This study investigates changes in the prevalence of chronic multimorbidity among the Irish population aged 15 and above between 2015 and 2019. Study design Cross-sectional study design. Methods Irish Health Survey (IHS) datasets from 2015 to 2019, comprising 10,323 and 7510 respondents aged ≥15 years respectively, were used. Fifteen chronic diseases were identified to define multimorbidity in this study. Descriptive statistics, two-proportions tests, and logistic regression were used to compare prevalence and identify associated factors. Results The findings suggests that there was a 17 % reduction in the overall prevalence of multimorbidity between 2015 and 2019. Significant predictors were age, sex, deprivation index, alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and limitations in daily activities. The age categories of 65–74 and ≥ 75 years had a decline of 22 % in multimorbidity between both years. Older individuals, females, individuals with high BMI, smokers, and those with greater limits in daily activities had a higher likelihood of experiencing multimorbidity. Conclusions Multimorbidity in Ireland showed a notable decline between 2015 and 2019. This trend may reflect a combination of factors, including improvements in public health, lifestyle changes, and healthcare access. However, methodological differences between surveys and potential reporting biases may also contribute to the observed reduction. Continued monitoring, with attention to socio-demographic disparities, is needed to ensure equitable prevention and management of chronic conditions across the population.