History of alcohol use does not predict HCV direct acting antiviral treatment outcomes.

BACkGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and excessive alcohol consumption are leading causes of liver disease worldwide. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are well-tolerated treatments for HCV infections with high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. There are limited data assessing the influence of alcohol use on DAA uptake and cure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients followed at The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program between January 2014 and May 2020 to investigate the effect of excessive alcohol use history on DAA uptake and SVR rates. Additionally, we evaluated the incidence of concurrent comorbidities and social determinants of health. Predictors of DAA uptake and SVR were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Excessive alcohol use history was reported in 46.0% (733) of patients. Excessive alcohol use did not predict DAA uptake (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.57), while employment (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.42) and recreational drug use (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.94) were predictors. Employment predicted SVR (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.36) in those starting treatment. Excessive alcohol use history did not predict SVR. CONCLUSIONS: History of excessive alcohol use does not influence treatment initiation or SVR. Efforts to improve treatment uptake should shift to focus on the roles of determinants of health such as employment and recreational drug use on treatment initiation.

HISTORIQUE: L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) et la consommation excessive d'alcool sont les principales causes de maladie hépatique dans le monde. Les antiviraux à action directe (AAD) sont bien tolérés pour traiter les infections par le VHC et entraînent un taux élevé de réponse virologique soutenue (RVS). Les données évaluant l'influence de la consommation d'alcool sur l'utilisation des AAD et la guérison sont limitées. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont procédé à une analyse rétrospective des patients suivis au sein du programme d'hépatite virale de L'Hôpital d'Ottawa entre janvier 2014 et mai 2020 pour examiner l'effet d'antécédents de consommation excessive d'alcool sur les taux d'acceptation des AAD et de RVS. De plus, ils ont évalué l'incidence de maladies concomitantes et de déterminants sociaux de la santé. Ils ont également utilisé la régression logistique pour évaluer les prédicteurs d'acceptation des AAD et de la RVS. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 46,0 % des patients (733) avaient des antécédents de consommation excessive d'alcool. Cette consommation n'était pas prédictive de l'acceptation des AAD (RC 1,06, IC à 95 %, 0,71 à 1,57), tandis que l'emploi (RC 2,10, IC à 95 %, 1,29 à 3,42) et la consommation de drogues à usage récréatif (RC 0,62, IC à 95 %, 0,40 à 0,94) l'étaient. L'emploi était prédicteur d'une RVS (RC 2,38, IC à 95 %, 1,68 à 3,36) chez les patients qui commençaient le traitement. La consommation excessive d'alcool n'était pas prédictive d'une RVS. CONCLUSIONS: Une histoire de consommation excessive d'alcool n'influe pas sur le début du traitement ni sur la RVS. Les efforts pour améliorer l'acceptation du traitement devraient être réorientés vers le rôle des déterminants de la santé comme l'emploi et l'utilisation de drogues à usage récréatif au début du traitement.

HCV infection characteristics, treatment uptake and outcomes in patient with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The interplay between HCV, DM, and DAA therapy is poorly understood. We compared HCV infection characteristics, treatment uptake, and treatment outcomes in patients with and without DM.  METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program. Statistical comparisons between diabetes and non-diabetes were made using χ2 and t-tests. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess predictors of DM and SVR. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred eighty-eight HCV patients were included in this analysis; 9.6% had DM. Patients with DM were older and more likely to have cirrhosis. HCC and chronic renal disease were more prevalent in the DM group. Treatment uptake and SVR were comparable between groups. Regression analysis revealed that age and employment were associated with achieving SVR. Post-SVR HCC was higher in DM group. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of DM in our HCV cohort supports screening. Further assessment is required to determine if targeted, early DAA treatment reduces DM onset, progression to cirrhosis and HCC risk. Further studies are needed to determine if optimization of glycemic control in this population can lead to improved liver outcomes.

Uptake and factors associated with direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C and treatment outcomes among Canadian immigrants: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: We sought to compare rates and factors associated with direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment uptake and sustained virological response (SVR) between Canadian-born and foreign-born patients. Methods: The study was conducted utilizing a retrospective cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients assessed at The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Clinic between January 2015 and October 2021. Risk factors, income, and clinical characteristics of HCV infection associated with DAA therapy uptake and SVR were compared by immigration status using logistic regression. Results: Of 1,459 HCV-infected patients, 264 (18.1%) were born outside of the country. A median 17 years passed from immigration to first assessment at the clinic. The proportion of patients initiating DAA therapy was similar between groups (65.2% versus 69.5%, p = 0.17). Characteristics associated with DAA therapy uptake included age at first assessment (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03) and being cirrhotic (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.99 to 2.13). Crude SVR rate was higher in immigrants than in Canadian-born patients (91.5% versus 83.7%, p = 0.01). After controlling for other variables, only advancing age was associated with the likelihood of achieving crude SVR (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05). Conclusions: We found that DAA therapy uptake and HCV cure rates were high in both groups suggesting equity of opportunity in those referred to our program. The older age at presentation suggests missed opportunities to diagnose and engage immigrants in HCV care. These findings emphasize the importance of early large-scale screening and engagement in care for HCV infection of immigrant populations to prevent future complications.

Prediction of acute kidney injury risk after cardiac surgery: using a hybrid machine learning algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. We derived and internally validated a Machine Learning preoperative model to predict cardiac surgery-associated AKI of any severity and compared its performance with parametric statistical models. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients who underwent major cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass between November 1st, 2009 and March 31st, 2015. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria as stage 1 or greater, within 7 days of surgery. We randomly split the cohort into derivation and validation datasets. We developed three AKI risk models: (1) a hybrid machine learning (ML) algorithm, using Random Forests for variable selection, followed by high performance logistic regression; (2) a traditional logistic regression model and (3) an enhanced logistic regression model with 500 bootstraps, with backward variable selection. For each model, we assigned risk scores to each of the retained covariate and assessed model discrimination (C statistic) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test) in the validation datasets. RESULTS: Of 6522 included patients, 1760 (27.0%) developed AKI. The best performance was achieved by the hybrid ML algorithm to predict AKI of any severity. The ML and enhanced statistical models remained robust after internal validation (C statistic = 0.75; Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.804, and AUC = 0.74, Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.347, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a hybrid ML model provides higher accuracy without sacrificing parsimony, computational efficiency, or interpretability, when compared with parametric statistical models. This score-based model can easily be used at the bedside to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from intensive perioperative monitoring and personalized management strategies.

Predicting postoperative surgical site infection with administrative data: a random forests algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Since primary data collection can be time-consuming and expensive, surgical site infections (SSIs) could ideally be monitored using routinely collected administrative data. We derived and internally validated efficient algorithms to identify SSIs within 30 days after surgery with health administrative data, using Machine Learning algorithms. METHODS: All patients enrolled in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from the Ottawa Hospital were linked to administrative datasets in Ontario, Canada. Machine Learning approaches, including a Random Forests algorithm and the high-performance logistic regression, were used to derive parsimonious models to predict SSI status. Finally, a risk score methodology was used to transform the final models into the risk score system. The SSI risk models were validated in the validation datasets. RESULTS: Of 14,351 patients, 795 (5.5%) had an SSI. First, separate predictive models were built for three distinct administrative datasets. The final model, including hospitalization diagnostic, physician diagnostic and procedure codes, demonstrated excellent discrimination (C statistics, 0.91, 95% CI, 0.90-0.92) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 statistics, 4.531, p = 0.402). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that health administrative data can be effectively used to identify SSIs. Machine learning algorithms have shown a high degree of accuracy in predicting postoperative SSIs and can integrate and utilize a large amount of administrative data. External validation of this model is required before it can be routinely used to identify SSIs.

Long-term Health Outcomes and Health System Costs Associated With Surgical Site Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between surgical site infections (SSIs) and hospital readmissions and all-cause mortality, and to estimate the attributable health care costs of SSIs 1 year following surgery. BACKGROUND: SSIs are a common postoperative complication; the long-term impact of SSI on health outcomes and costs has not been formally evaluated. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients who underwent surgery at the 1202-bed teaching hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and were included in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2010 and 2015. The study exposure was postoperative SSI. The study outcomes included hospital readmission, all-cause mortality, and health care costs at 1 year (primary) and at 30 days and 90 days (secondary) following surgery. RESULTS: We identified 14,351 patients, including 795 patients with SSIs. Our multivariable analyses that accounted for competing risks demonstrated that at 1-year following the index date, superficial and deep/organ space SSIs were significantly associated with an increase in hospital readmission [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.63, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.39-1.92 and HR = 3.49, (95% CI 2.76-4.17, respectively) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.10-1.98 and HR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.44-2.78, respectively]. At 1 year after surgery, patients with superficial and deep/organ space SSIs incurred higher health care costs C$20,648 (95% CI) C$16,980- C$24,112and C$53,075 (95% CI) C$44,628- C$60,936), than non-SSI patients. CONCLUSION: SSIs, especially deep/organ space SSI, contribute to adverse health outcomes and health care costs across the entire year after surgery. Our findings highlight the importance of effective prevention/monitoring strategies targeting both short- and long-term consequences of SSI.

Evaluating quality of overall care among older adults with diabetes with comorbidities in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to: (1) explore whether the quality of overall care for older people with diabetes is differentially affected by types and number of comorbid conditions and (2) examine the association between process of care measures and the likelihood of all-cause hospitalisations. DESIGN: A population-based, retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The province of Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: We identified 673 197 Ontarians aged 65 years and older who had diabetes comorbid with hypertension, chronic ischaemic heart disease, osteoarthritis or depression on 1 April 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The study outcome was the likelihood of having at least one hospital admission in each year, during the study period, from 1 April 2010 to 3 March 2014. Process of care measures specific to older adults with diabetes and these comorbidities, developed by means of a Delphi panel, were used to assess the quality of care. A generalised estimating equations approach was used to examine associations between the process of care measures and the likelihood of hospitalisations. RESULTS: The study findings suggest that patients are at risk of suboptimal care with each additional comorbid condition, while the incidence of hospitalisations and number of prescribed drugs markedly increased in patients with 2 versus 1 selected comorbid condition, especially in those with discordant comorbidities. The median continuity of care score was higher among patients with diabetes-concordant conditions compared with those with diabetes-discordant conditions, and it declined with additional comorbid conditions in both groups. Greater continuity of care was associated with lower hospital utilisation for older diabetes patients with both concordant and discordant conditions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for focusing on improving continuity of care and prioritising treatment in older adults with diabetes with any multiple conditions but especially in those with diabetes-discordant conditions (eg, depression).

Quality indicators for ambulatory care for older adults with diabetes and comorbid conditions: A Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of people are living with multiple chronic conditions and it is unclear which quality indicators should be used to guide care for this population. OBJECTIVE: To critically appraise and select the most appropriate set of quality indicators for ambulatory care for older adults with five selected disease combinations. METHODS: A two-round web-based Delphi process was used to critically appraise and select quality of care indicators for older adults with diabetes and comorbidities. A fifteen-member Canadian expert panel with broad geographical and clinical representation participated in this study. The panel evaluated process indicators for meaningfulness, potential for improvements in clinical practice, and overall value of inclusion, while outcome indicators were evaluated for importance, modifiability and overall value of inclusion. A 70% agreement threshold was required for high consensus, and 60-69% for moderate consensus as measured on a 5-point Likert type scale. RESULTS: Twenty high-consensus and nineteen medium-consensus process and outcome indicators were selected for assessing care for older adults with selected disease combinations, including 1) concordant (conditions with a common management plan), 2) discordant (conditions with unrelated management plans), and 3) both types. Panelists reached rapid consensus on quality indicators for care for older adults with concordant comorbid conditions, but not for those with discordant conditions. All selected indicators assess clinical aspects of care. The feedback from the panelists emphasized the importance of developing indicators related to patient-centred aspects of care, including patient self-management, education, patient-physician relationships, and patient's preferences. CONCLUSIONS: The selected quality indicators are not intended to provide a comprehensive tool set for measuring quality of care for older adults with selected disease combinations. The recommended indicators address clinical aspects of care and can be used as a starting point for ambulatory care settings and development of additional quality indicators.

Quality indicators for care of osteoarthritis in primary care settings: a systematic literature review.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of osteoarthritis and the prominence of primary care in managing this condition, there is no systematic summary of quality indicators applicable for osteoarthritis care in primary care settings. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify evidence-based quality indicators for monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality of care for adults with osteoarthritis in primary care settings. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid EMBASE databases and grey literature, including relevant organizational websites, were searched from 2000 to 2015. Two reviewers independently selected studies if (i) the study methodology combined a systematic literature search with assessment of quality indicators by an expert panel and (ii) quality indicators were applicable to assessment of care for adults with osteoarthritis in primary care settings. Included studies were appraised using the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation (AIRE) instrument. A narrative synthesis was used to combine the indicators within themes. Applicable quality indicators were categorized according to Donabedian's 'structure-process-outcome' framework. Results: The search revealed 4526 studies, of which 32 studies were reviewed in detail and 4 studies met the inclusion criteria. According to the AIRE domains, all studies were clear on purpose and stakeholder involvement, while formal endorsement and use of indicators in practice were scarcely described. A total of 20 quality indicators were identified from the included studies, many of which overlapped conceptually or in content. Conclusions: The process of developing quality indicators was methodologically suboptimal in most cases. There is a need to develop specific process, structure and outcome measures for adults with osteoarthritis using appropriate methodology.

Effect of socio-demographic factors on the association between multimorbidity and healthcare costs: a population-based, retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the attributable costs of multimorbidity and assess whether the association between the level of multimorbidity and health system costs varies by socio-demographic factors in young (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) adults living in Ontario, Canada. DESIGN: A population-based, retrospective cohort study SETTING: The province of Ontario, Canada PARTICIPANTS: 6 639 089 Ontarians who were diagnosed with at least one of 16 selected medical conditions on 1 April 2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: From the perspective of the publicly funded healthcare system, total annual healthcare costs were derived from linked provincial health administrative databases using a person-level costing method. We used generalised linear models to examine the association between the level of multimorbidity and healthcare costs and the extent to which socio-demographic variables modified this association. RESULTS: Attributable total costs of multimorbidity ranged from C$377 to C$2073 for young individuals and C$1026 to C$3831 for older adults. The association between the degree of multimorbidity and healthcare costs was significantly modified by age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001) and neighbourhood income (p<0.001) in both age groups, and the positive association between healthcare costs and levels of multimorbidity was statistically stronger for older than younger adults. For individuals aged 65 years or younger, the increase in healthcare costs was more gradual in women than in their male counterparts, however, for those aged 65 years or older, the increase in healthcare costs was significantly greater among women than men. Lastly, we also observed that the positive association between the level of multimorbidity and healthcare costs was significantly greater at higher levels of marginalisation. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic factors are important effect modifiers of the relationship between multimorbidity and healthcare costs and should therefore be considered in any discussion of the implementation of healthcare policies and the organisation of healthcare services aimed at controlling healthcare costs associated with multimorbidity.

Quality indicators for care of depression in primary care settings: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing interest in assessing the quality of care for depression, there is little evidence to support measurement of the quality of primary care for depression. This study identified evidence-based quality indicators for monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality of care for depression in primary care settings. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid PsycINFO databases, and grey literature, including relevant organizational websites, were searched from 2000 to 2015. Two reviewers independently selected studies if (1) the study methodology combined a systematic literature search with assessment of quality indicators by an expert panel and (2) quality indicators were applicable to assessment of care for adults with depression in primary care settings. Included studies were appraised using the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation (AIRE) instrument, which contains four domains and 20 items. A narrative synthesis was used to combine the indicators within themes. Quality indicators applicable to care for adults with depression in primary care settings were extracted using a structured form. The extracted quality indicators were categorized according to Donabedian's 'structure-process-outcome' framework. RESULTS: The search revealed 3838 studies. Four additional publications were identified through grey literature searching. Thirty-nine articles were reviewed in detail and seven met the inclusion criteria. According to the AIRE domains, all studies were clear on purpose and stakeholder involvement, while formal endorsement and usage of indicators in practice were scarcely described. A total of 53 quality indicators were identified from the included studies, many of which overlap conceptually or in content: 15 structure, 33 process and four outcome indicators. This study identified quality indicators for evaluating primary care for depression among adult patients. CONCLUSIONS: The identified set of indicators address multiple dimensions of depression care and provide an excellent starting point for further development and use in primary care settings.

The Relationship between Diabetes Care Quality and Diabetes-Related Hospitalizations and the Modifying Role of Comorbidity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of comorbidity on diabetes care quality and diabetes-related hospitalizations and to examine whether associations between the likelihood of diabetes-related hospitalizations and compliance with diabetes testing are modified by type of comorbidity. METHODS: A population-based cohort study of 861 354 adults with diabetes was conducted in Ontario, Canada. The diabetes cohort was categorized into 4 groups defined by their comorbidity statuses: no comorbidity, diabetes-concordant only, diabetes-discordant only, and both concordant and discordant. Outcome variables were defined as having had at least 1 hospitalization for diabetes-related short- or long-term complications between 2009 and 2011. Diabetes-care quality measures included testing for glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and eye examinations between 2007 and 2009. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to examine the associations between diabetes testing and diabetes-related hospitalizations and the modifying role of comorbidity type. RESULTS: Compliance with all 3 monitoring tests by patients with diabetes had a strong positive impact on reducing hospitalizations for diabetes-related long-term complications, especially in patients with diabetes-concordant conditions. The highest levels of adherence to all 3 diabetes monitoring tests were observed in patients with diabetes-concordant conditions only and in patients with diabetes-discordant conditions. The highest odds of hospitalizations for diabetes-related short-term complications were observed in patients having both discordant and concordant conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting diabetes testing goals has the potential to reduce hospitalizations for diabetes-related complications; however, this depends on types of coexisting chronic conditions and diabetes-related complications in patients with diabetes.

The association between multimorbidity and hospitalization is modified by individual demographics and physician continuity of care: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity poses a significant clinical challenge and has been linked to greater health services use, including hospitalization; however, we have little knowledge about the influence of contextual factors on outcomes in this population. OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent to which the association between multimorbidity and hospitalization is modified by age, gender, primary care practice model, or continuity of care (COC) among adults with at least one chronic condition. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with linked population-based administrative data. SETTING: Ontario, Canada. COHORT: All individuals 18 and older with at least one of 16 priority chronic conditions as of April 1, 2009 (baseline). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Any hospitalization, 3 or more hospitalizations, non-medical discharge delay, and 30-day readmission within the 1 year following baseline. RESULTS: Of 5,958,514 individuals, 484,872 (8.1 %) experienced 646,347 hospitalizations. There was a monotonic increase in the likelihood of hospitalization and related outcomes with increasing multimorbidity which was modified by age, gender, and COC but not primary care practice model. The effect of increasing multimorbidity was greater in younger adults than older adults and in those with lower COC than with higher COC. The effect of increasing multimorbidity on hospitalization was greater in men than women but reversed for the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of multimorbidity on hospitalization is influenced by age and gender, important considerations in the development of person-centred care models. Greater continuity of physician care lessened the effect of multimorbidity on hospitalization, further demonstrating the need for care continuity across providers for people with chronic conditions.

A multi-level qualitative analysis of Telehomecare in Ontario: challenges and opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Despite research demonstrating the potential effectiveness of Telehomecare for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure, broad-scale comprehensive evaluations are lacking. This article discusses the qualitative component of a mixed-method program evaluation of Telehomecare in Ontario, Canada. The objective of the qualitative component was to explore the multi-level factors and processes which facilitate or impede the implementation and adoption of the program across three regions where it was first implemented. METHODS: The study employs a multi-level framework as a conceptual guide to explore the facilitators and barriers to Telehomecare implementation and adoption across five levels: technology, patients, providers, organizations, and structures. In-depth semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations with program stakeholders, as well as a Telehomecare document review were used to elicit key themes. Study participants (n = 89) included patients and/or informal caregivers (n = 39), health care providers (n = 23), technicians (n = 2), administrators (n = 12), and decision makers (n = 13) across three different Local Health Integration Networks in Ontario. RESULTS: Key facilitators to Telehomecare implementation and adoption at each level of the multi-level framework included: user-friendliness of Telehomecare technology, patient motivation to participate in the program, support for Telehomecare providers, the integration of Telehomecare into broader health service provision, and comprehensive program evaluation. Key barriers included: access-related issues to using the technology, patient language (if not English or French), Telehomecare provider time limitations, gaps in health care provision for patients, and structural barriers to patient participation related to geography and social location. CONCLUSIONS: Though Telehomecare has the potential to positively impact patient lives and strengthen models of health care provision, a number of key challenges remain. As such, further implementation and expansion of Telehomecare must involve continuous assessments of what is working and not working with all stakeholders. Increased dialogue, evaluation, and knowledge translation within and across regions to understand the contextual factors influencing Telehomecare implementation and adoption is required. This can inform decision-making that better reflects and addresses the needs of all program stakeholders.

The increasing burden and complexity of multimorbidity.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, is common among older adults and is known to be associated with high costs and gaps in quality of care. Population-based estimates of multimorbidity are not readily available, which makes future planning a challenge. We aimed to estimate the population-based prevalence and trends of multimorbidity in Ontario, Canada and to examine patterns in the co-occurrence of chronic conditions. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes all Ontarians (aged 0 to 105 years) with at least one of 16 common chronic conditions. Descriptive statistics were used to examine and compare the prevalence of multimorbidity by age and number of conditions in 2003 and 2009. The co-occurrence of chronic conditions among individuals with multimorbidity was also explored. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity among Ontarians rose from 17.4% in 2003 to 24.3% in 2009, a 40% increase. This increase over time was evident across all age groups. Within individual chronic conditions, multimorbidity rates ranged from 44% to 99%. Remarkably, there were no dominant patterns of co-occurring conditions. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of multimorbidity and numerous combinations of conditions suggests that single, disease-oriented management programs may be less effective or efficient tools for high quality care compared to person-centered approaches.