Risk factors for cardiometabolic multimorbidity: an analysis of 4 million participants from May Measurement Month 2017-2019

Abstract Background Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), defined as the presence of two or more cardiometabolic conditions, presents a significant global challenge due to aging populations and a growing prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases. However, evidence regarding the risk factors for CMM is scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. May Measurement Month (MMM) is the largest annual global campaign collecting data on blood pressure (BP) and cardiometabolic diseases. Purpose To determine the proportion of hypertension in people with CMM and risk factors associated with CMM, from the three MMM campaigns in 2017-2019. Methods A total of 3 397 746 participants (≥18 years) were included, arising from 103 countries. CMM was defined as having two or more of three cardiometabolic diseases: myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP≥90mmHg, using the average of the second and third of three readings and/or taking antihypertensive medication. A multivariable logistic mixed effects regression model was used to examine associations between CMM and potential risk factors, including age, sex, BMI category, smoking status, and alcohol consumption in the model, with random effects for country. Results Amongst all participants, 316 940 (9.3%), 62 731 (1.8%), and 28 491 (0.8%) had one, two or three cardiometabolic conditions, respectively, and 91 222 (2.7%) had CMM. The proportion with hypertension increased with an increasing number of cardiometabolic conditions: 29.6% in those with none, and 63.0%, 68.6% and 71.2% in those with one, two, or three conditions, respectively. In a fully adjusted model, females had 16% (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12-1.20, p-value <0.001) higher odds of having CMM than males (Figure). Increasing age was associated with higher odds of having CMM, the highest risk being found in participants ≥70 years. Participants who were underweight, overweight, or obese, were more likely to have CMM than those with a healthy weight. Of the risk factors studied, current smoking was associated with the highest odds for CMM, (OR = 12.8, 95% CI: 12.62-13.04, p-value<0.001) compared with not smoking. Participants consuming alcohol at least once per week had 74% lower odds (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.25-0.27, p-value <0.001) of having CMM compared with those who never or rarely consumed alcohol (Figure 1). Conclusions The risk of CMM increases with female sex, older age, abnormal weight, and smoking. Additionally, CMM is associated with a higher likelihood of having hypertension. Efforts targeting high-risk populations with modifiable CMM related-risk factors are crucial for prevention of CMM.Figure 1.Risk factors for CMM