Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases and Clinical Conditions Among Individuals Aged 80 Years and Older: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Background: Sex differences in the prevalence and impact of chronic conditions are well documented in older adults but remain underexplored among those aged 80 years and older. Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) significantly impact health and mortality, particularly among the oldest-old (≥80 years), who often experience concurrent age-related functional decline. While they are multifactorial, many NCDs and associated clinical conditions can be prevented or managed through lifestyle modifications, promoting higher-quality aging. Objective: To analyze the prevalence of NCDs and related clinical conditions, with a focus on sex differences, within a multicenter cohort of individuals aged ≥ 80 years. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from a multicenter cohort study was performed. Prevalence rates were calculated and compared between women and men. Results: Significant sex differences were observed. Women had substantially greater prevalences of hypertension (70% vs. 60%, p=0.008), urinary incontinence (61% vs. 44%, p<0.001), osteoporosis (35% vs. 11%, p<0.001), depression (32% vs. 14%, p<0.001), and rheumatoid arthritis (32% vs. 17%, p<0.001). Conversely, men had significantly greater prevalences of diabetes mellitus (34% vs. 26%, p=0.022), ischemic stroke (19% vs. 13%, p=0.023), cancer (18% vs. 8%, p<0.001), and dysphagia (37% vs. 29%, p=0.03). Memory difficulties and chronic pain were also highly prevalent in both sexes, affecting more than half of the sample. Conclusion: The high prevalence of conditions such as hypertension and urinary incontinence in women, and diabetes and cancer in men, alongside the heavy burden of chronic pain and memory difficulties in both sexes, reinforces the need for targeted public health strategies, considering the distinct vulnerabilities between sexes in the oldest-old population.