Interoceptive accuracy and attention across multimorbidity classes: A latent class analysis

Background

Multimorbidity is increasingly prevalent, and associated with worse clinical and psychosocial burdens. Interoception, the brain’s ability to sense and interpret internal bodily signals, may contribute to multimorbidity, through its link with health behaviors, stress regulation, and mental health. This study examines whether self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention is associated with multimorbidity, by identifying multimorbid subgroups and their interoceptive profiles.

Methods

Morbidity classes were identified through latent class analyses in two Dutch survey datasets, focusing on depression and alexithymia (DA-dataset; N = 671) and lifestyle factors (L-dataset; N = 1022). Linear regression analyses were used to assess interoceptive accuracy and attention (by the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale and Interoceptive Attention Scale respectively) among different subgroups.

Results

Multimorbid subgroups were characterized by older age, low socioeconomic position, and elevated physical, psychological, and behavioral problems. Multimorbid classes exhibited lower interoceptive accuracy (DA-dataset: B = −1.14, 95% CI = [−2.89, 0.62]; L-dataset: B = −2.36, 95% CI = [−3.83, −0.89]) and higher attention (DA-dataset: B = 3.62, 95% CI = [0.97, 6.27]; L-dataset: B = 1.07, 95% CI = [−1.42, 3.56]) compared to healthier classes.

Conclusion

Multimorbid populations demonstrated lower interoceptive accuracy and higher interoceptive attention. This highlights the psychosocial complexity of multimorbid populations which may impact their self-management and health behavior. These findings underscore the need to expand treatments to include psychosocial domains for multimorbid patients.

Highlights

• Interoceptive dysregulation and multimorbidity share risk factors

• Multimorbid populations show low interoceptive accuracy but high attention

• Multimorbid populations have distinct interoceptive profiles and psychosocial risks

• Embedding interoception in multimorbid care may help personalize treatments