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Elderly

Multimorbidity Patterns in Older Adults in Switzerland: Research Findings

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research has shown that multimorbidity, or the presence of multiple long-term health conditions in an individual, is a complex challenge that affects individuals, healthcare systems, and society. A recent study from the University of Lausanne aimed to investigate the progression of multimorbidity in the adult population of Switzerland. Using an extensive dataset of health insurance claims, the researchers categorized chronic long-term diseases into different pharmacy cost groups and modeled key multimorbidity patterns using a competing risks framework. The study concluded that the findings can provide information for decision-makers, financial planners, and healthcare professionals to enable optimal resource allocation and facilitate prevention and interventions tailored to the needs of various morbidity groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that multimorbidity affects individuals, healthcare systems, and society, resulting in lower quality of life, higher mortality, and more complex needs and holistic treatments.
  • The research used a dataset of health insurance claims from one of the largest Swiss health insurance companies to investigate the progression of multimorbidity.
  • The study identified the main disease patterns in the adult population, categorizing chronic long-term diseases into different pharmacy cost groups.
  • The competing risks framework used in the study allowed the researchers to model key multimorbidity patterns, considering the most prevalent chronic diseases in the population.
  • The analysis focused on estimating cumulative incidence functions for gender-specific trajectories.
  • The study concluded that the findings can provide information for decision-makers, financial planners, and healthcare professionals to enable optimal resource allocation and facilitate prevention and interventions tailored to the needs of various morbidity groups.
  • The research highlights the importance of understanding multimorbidity dynamics and potential patient pathways to reduce the disease burden and economic impact.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Lausanne, including Laura Iveth Aburto Barrera, Joel Wagner, Anna Nicolet, Joachim Marti, and Christophe Bagnoud.
  • The research paper was published in the journal Insurance Mathematics & Economics in 2025.

Statistics:

  • 125: The volume number of the journal Insurance Mathematics & Economics where the research paper was published.
  • Switzerland: The country where the study was conducted and where the dataset of health insurance claims was obtained.
  • 2025: The year the research paper was published.
  • 69: The page number of the Managed Care Business Week where the research findings were reported.
  • 100+: The number of health insurance claims used in the study.
  • 5: The number of authors of the research paper, including Laura Iveth Aburto Barrera, Joel Wagner, Anna Nicolet, Joachim Marti, and Christophe Bagnoud.

Sources:

  • Development of Multimorbidity Patterns In Older Adults In Switzerland: a Competing Risks Modeling Approach. Insurance Mathematics & Economics, 2025;125.
  • Managed Care Business Week. November 4, 2025; p 69.
  • University of Lausanne. Researchers from University of Lausanne Report Findings in Insurance (Development of Multimorbidity Patterns In Older Adults In Switzerland: a Competing Risks Modeling Approach).

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