BMC Health Services Research (Feb 2011)

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

  • Schödel Nadine,
  • Dietzel Roswitha,
  • Kurzawe-Seitz Ina,
  • Gaertner Beate,
  • Hapke Ulfert,
  • Knopf Hildtraud,
  • Six-Merker Julia,
  • Ernert Andrea,
  • Busch Markus,
  • Fuchs Judith,
  • Holzhausen Martin,
  • Welke Justus,
  • Wiskott Juliane,
  • Wetzstein Matthias,
  • Martus Peter,
  • Scheidt-Nave Christa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-47
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 47

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background 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. Methods/Design 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%). Discussion 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.