A new study conducted by Griffith University has shed light on the impact of hot weather on older individuals with multiple chronic diseases, revealing that they are at an increased risk of hospitalization during periods of high temperatures.
The research, recently published in eBioMedicine, focused on individuals over the age of 65 with multimorbidity, which is defined as having two or more chronic diseases. The study found that the risk of hospitalization escalated with the number of pre-existing chronic conditions during hot weather.
Dr. Zhiwei Xu from Griffith’s School of Medicine and Dentistry emphasized the importance of considering individuals with multimorbidity as a distinct heat-vulnerable group in future iterations of heat early warning systems. With global temperatures on the rise, hospitals are expected to see a surge in patients with multimorbidity during hot days.
The research analyzed emergency hospitalizations between March 2004 and April 2016 for patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental disorders, asthma/COPD, and chronic kidney disease. Over two million emergency hospitalizations were recorded during this period, with a significant increase in hospitalization odds for patients with multimorbidity as the mean temperature rose.
Dr. Xu highlighted the strain that elevated temperatures can place on individuals with multiple chronic diseases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and integrated medical management for these patients. The study also pointed out that patients with multimorbidity require more extensive care compared to those with a single chronic disease.
Dr. Shannon Rutherford, a co-author of the study, is involved in Griffith University’s Ethos project, which focuses on developing an extreme heat warning system for older Queenslanders. This research aligns with Ethos’ goal of providing in-home solutions to help older individuals and their caregivers monitor heat exposure, identify risks, and implement cooling strategies.
The study serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with multimorbidity during hot weather and underscores the importance of tailored interventions and support systems to mitigate the impact of high temperatures on this vulnerable group.
