The epidemiology of chronic diseases and long-term care: results of a claims data-based study

It is generally assumed that chronic diseases and multimorbidity increase the risk of long-term care. Nevertheless, a systematic study on the nature and the prevalence of those diseases associated with long-term care has not been yet undertaken in Germany. The study was perfomed using claims data of one nationwide operating statutory health insurance company in 2006. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65 years, minimum of 1 out of 46 diagnoses in a minimum of three quarters of the year (n = 8,678). A comparison group was formed with n = 114,962. We calculated prevalences and relative risks -using nominal regression- to determine influential factors on long-term care. A small number of diseases (e.g. dementia, urinary incontinence, chronic stroke and cardiac insufficiency) show high prevalences (> 20%) among long-term care users and at the same time great prevalence differences between users and non-users These data are important for improving medical and nursing care of long-term care users. Further research is needed with regard to the question by which mechanisms those diseases produce disability and frailty, thus leading to long-term care requirements.