Operationalizing multimorbidity and autonomy for health services research in aging populations - the OMAHA study

• Main Authors: Schödel Nadine (Author), Dietzel Roswitha (Author), Kurzawe-Seitz Ina (Author), Gaertner Beate (Author), Hapke Ulfert (Author), Knopf Hildtraud (Author), Six-Merker Julia (Author), Ernert Andrea (Author), Busch Markus (Author), Fuchs Judith (Author), Holzhausen Martin (Author), Welke Justus (Author), Wiskott Juliane (Author), Wetzstein Matthias (Author), Martus Peter (Author), Scheidt-Nave Christa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2011-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1472-6963-11-47; 1472-6963
• Keywords: Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Health Services Research, Vol 11, Iss 1, p 47 (2011)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As part of a Berlin-based research consortium on health in old age, the OMAHA (Operationalizing Multimorbidity and Autonomy for Health Services Research in Aging Populations) study aims to develop a conceptual framework and a set of standardized instruments and indicators for continuous monitoring of multimorbidity and associated health care needs in the population 65 years and older.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>OMAHA is a longitudinal epidemiological study including a comprehensive assessment at baseline and at 12-month follow-up as well as brief intermediate telephone interviews at 6 and 18 months. In order to evaluate different sampling procedures and modes of data collection, the study is conducted in two different population-based samples of men and women aged 65 years and older. A geographically defined sample was recruited from an age and sex stratified random sample from the register of residents in Berlin-Mitte (Berlin OMAHA study cohort, n = 299) for assessment by face-to-face interview and examination. A larger nationwide sample (German OMAHA study cohort, n = 730) was recruited for assessment by telephone interview among participants in previous German Telephone Health Surveys. In both cohorts, we successfully applied a multi-dimensional set of instruments to assess multimorbidity, functional disability in daily life, autonomy, quality of life (QoL), health care services utilization, personal and social resources as well as socio-demographic and biographical context variables. Response rates considerably varied between the Berlin and German OMAHA study cohorts (22.8% vs. 59.7%), whereas completeness of follow-up at month 12 was comparably high in both cohorts (82.9% vs. 81.2%).</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The OMAHA study offers a wide spectrum of data concerning health, functioning, social involvement, psychological well-being, and cognitive capacity in community-dwelling older people in Germany. Results from the study will add to methodological and content-specific discourses on human resources for maintaining quality of life and autonomy throughout old age, even in the face of multiple health complaints.</p>