Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), defined as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic diseases, are a growing public health challenge linked to reduced quality of life, higher healthcare use, and premature mortality. While individual risk factors have been studied, understanding how diverse biological, behavioural, psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors interact over time to shape MLTC patterns remains limited.
This project aims to:
* Identify key determinants, mediators, and effect modifiers associated with the presence and progression of MLTCs in a large adult population.
* Characterise common pathways and trajectories of MLTC development, including high-risk clusters and multimorbidity patterns across the life course.
* Assess how lifestyle, sociodemographic, and clinical risk factors interact with biological ageing markers-particularly telomere length-to influence MLTC onset, accumulation, and severity.
* Quantify the contribution of telomere shortening to lifetime risk, disease complexity, complications, mortality, and adverse health outcomes in individuals with MLTCs.
We will use UK Biobank’s data to generate insights that can inform personalised care, public health strategies, and healthcare policy focused on managing the burden of MLTCs.
