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International Journal of Public Health

Erschienen in:

24.06.2019 | Original article

Sex Differences in Comorbidity and Frailty in Europe

verfasst von: Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt, Sören Möller, Mikael Thinggaard, Kaare Christensen, Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen

Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health | Ausgabe 7/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

To examine sex differences in prevalent comorbidity and frailty across age and European regions.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study based on 113,299 Europeans aged 50+ participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe from 2004–2005 to 2015. Sex differences in the Comorbidity Index and the Frailty Phenotype were investigated using ordinal logistic regressions.

Results

European women had generally higher odds of prevalent comorbidity (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.15) and frailty (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.51–1.62). Sex differences increased with advancing age. No overall sex difference in comorbidity was found in Western Europe, but women had more comorbidity than men in Eastern (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18–1.44), Southern (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.15–1.30), and Northern (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.16) Europe. Women were frailer than men in all regions, with the largest sex difference in Southern Europe (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.72–1.96).

Conclusions

European women are frailer and have slightly more comorbidity than European men lending support for the male–female health survival paradox.

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Titel: Sex Differences in Comorbidity and Frailty in Europe
verfasst von: Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt
Sören Möller
Mikael Thinggaard
Kaare Christensen
Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen
Publikationsdatum: 24.06.2019
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health / Ausgabe 7/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Elektronische ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01270-9

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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