With the global population aging at an accelerating rate, the rapid growth of the elderly population in China presents a series of health challenges, particularly in the management of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Residents of original residential communities, a unique social unit within the urbanization process, experience a higher prevalence of comorbidities related to these conditions. This underscores the urgent need for effective and comprehensive management strategies. Family function plays a critical role in the management of chronic diseases. For patients with the hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, family support is not only crucial for improving treatment outcomes but also a key factor in enhancing overall quality of life.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and family function among older people of original residential communities of Guangzhou with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

The survey was based on the annual health examination services for patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, in accordance with the National Basic Public Health Service Standards (Third Edition). Stratified random sampling was used to conduct a questionnaire survey with the APGAR scale among patients of comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia over 60 years old in Panyu District, Guangzhou, between January and June 2023. To explore the multimorbidity and family functioning status of original residential communities of Guangzhou and its associated factors.

A total of 2 507 patients were surveyed. Among them, 202 patients (8.1%) had only one condition, 1 712 patients (68.3%) had two conditions, and 593 patients (23.7%) had all three conditions. Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the types of conditions present based on variables such as gender, place of residence, number of household members with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, BMI, exercise habits, fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, and family function score. The prevalence ratio for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diadetes was 2.4∶2.4∶1. Among the comorbidity patterns, hypertension combined with diadetes was the most common (1 404 cases, 56.0%), followed by patients with all three conditions (593 cases, 23.7%). No statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were found in the distribution of different comorbidity patterns between genders or across age groups. The mean total family function score was (7.63±1.83). Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the partnership, affection, and resolve sub-scores, as well as in the total family function scores, among patients with different disease patterns. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified gender (female: β=-0.148, t=-2.275, P=0.023), place of residence (apartment complex: β=-0.155, t=-2.402, P=0.016), and fasting blood glucose levels (abnormal glucose: β=-0.045, t=-2.465, P=0.014) as risk factors for lower total family function scores. On the other hand, the number of family members with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia (two or more: β=0.174, t=2.356, P=0.026) and the type of disease patterns ("comorbidity of two conditions": β=0.193, t=2.586, P=0.010; "comorbidity of all three conditions": β=0.342, t=3.248, P=0.001) were identified as protective factors for higher total family function scores.

Elderly patients with the hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in original residential community of Guangzhou metropolitan predominantly exhibit "a comorbidity of two conditions" pattern with generally good family function. Gender, place of residence, the number of family members with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, type of diseases and fasting blood glucose are key influencing factors of family function.