Inflammation in Multimorbidity and Disability: An Integrative Review

Objective: Multimorbidity is a robust predictor of disability in aging adults, but the mechanisms by which multimorbidity is disabling are not clear. Most existing research focuses on disease-specific phenomena, such as diminished lung capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can result in functional limitations. This review takes a different approach by highlighting the potential role of a biological process-inflammation-that is common to many chronic medical conditions and thus, from a medical perspective, relatively disease nonspecific. Method: Beginning with a description of inflammation and its measurement, this paper will provide an overview of research on inflammation as a predictor of disease risk in healthy adults and of adverse outcomes (e.g., disability) in those with multimorbidity. Results: The discussion of inflammation is then situated in the context of biopsychosocial influences on health, as inflammation has been shown to be sensitive to a wide range of social and psychological processes that are thought to contribute to healthy aging, including successful adaptation to multimorbidity and reduced risk of disability. Conclusions: Finally, implications of this broader perspective for interventions to improve outcomes in aging adults with multimorbidity are briefly considered.