New Research Reveals High Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions among Hospital Patients in Malawi and Tanzania

A groundbreaking study conducted across Malawi and Tanzania highlights the alarming rate of multimorbidity—where patients suffer from two or more chronic diseases—among hospital admissions in sub-Saharan Africa. The research, led by the Multilink Consortium in collaboration with various regional and international institutions, examined over 1,000 patients admitted to four hospitals in these countries. Findings indicate that nearly half of these patients, 47%, were diagnosed with multimorbidity, with hypertension, diabetes, and HIV being the most common conditions observed.

These multiple chronic illnesses substantially increase the risk of severe health outcomes, including end-organ damage such as heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease, which can lead to premature mortality. The study also revealed a stark difference in mortality rates: 41.7% of patients with multimorbidity died within 90 days of hospital admission, compared to 28.3% with just one long-term condition and only 13.5% with no chronic conditions.

In addition to health complications, multimorbidity has significant economic implications. Patients often experience income loss, reduced quality of life, and higher medical expenses, especially in Tanzania where healthcare costs are not fully subsidized. The research underscores the challenges faced by healthcare systems that typically do not screen patients for multiple ongoing conditions, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased healthcare burdens.

Experts emphasize that multimorbidity is an urgent public health issue requiring systemic reforms. Dr. Stephen Spencer from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine stresses the need for integrated care models to better detect, treat, and prevent multiple chronic diseases, thereby reducing mortality and disability. Similarly, Professor Eve Worrall highlights how underdiagnosis hampers effective health management, affecting both individual well-being and broader economic stability.

Malawi’s health system, already strained by infectious and non-communicable diseases, faces additional pressure as nearly half of hospital admissions involve multimorbidity. Researchers advocate for proactive screening, improved clinical pathways, and context-sensitive healthcare strategies to address this rising challenge. The study involves contributions from institutions including Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, the University of Manchester, and Duke University.

This research paper is published in the journal The Lancet Global Health (2025). Source: MedicalXpress.