Table 3 Crude and adjusted odds ratios from multinomial logistic regression of multimorbidity by key variables among older adults (Base category: No morbidity), Longitudinal Aging Study in India, 2017-19

Depressive symptoms

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

1.22* (1.02–1.47)

1.61*** (1.38–1.89)

1.40*** (1.17–1.68)

1.85*** (1.58–2.16)

BMI

Normal

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Underweight

0.75*** (0.66–0.84)

0.53*** (0.47–0.60)

0.85** (0.75–0.96)

0.66*** (0.58–0.75)

Overweight

2.01*** (1.69–2.38)

2.58*** (2.14–3.11)

1.62*** (1.37–1.92)

2.00*** (1.72–2.33)

Obese

2.99*** (2.08–4.29)

5.36*** (3.55–8.09)

2.14*** (1.67–2.75)

3.77*** (2.94–4.82)

High-risk waist circumference

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

2.43*** (2.11–2.80)

3.82*** (3.26–4.48)

1.88*** (1.64–2.16)

2.93*** (2.58–3.33)

High-risk waist to hip ratio

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

1.51*** (1.34–1.70)

1.82*** (1.48–2.24)

1.25*** (1.11–1.42)

1.58*** (1.36–1.83)

Depressive symptoms & BMI

No & Normal

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

No & Underweight

0.75*** (0.66–0.85)

0.53*** (0.47–0.60)

0.85* (0.75–0.96)

0.67*** (0.58–0.76)

No & Overweight

2.04*** (1.71–2.44)

2.69*** (2.21–3.28)

1.63*** (1.37–1.95)

2.06*** (1.76–2.42)

No & Obese

3.04*** (2.09–4.42)

5.44*** (3.52–8.41)

2.17*** (1.68–2.81)

3.82*** (2.95–4.93)

Yes & Normal

1.33* (1.02–1.73)

1.87*** (1.51–2.32)

1.42** (1.09–1.84)

2.05*** (1.66–2.55)

Yes & Underweight

0.92 (0.68–1.25)

0.89 (0.65–1.21)

1.13 (0.82–1.54)

1.11 (0.81–1.53)

Yes & Overweight

2.12** (1.27–3.55)

3.15*** (1.99–5.01)

2.08** (1.30–3.34)

2.95*** (1.97–4.42)

Yes & Obese

3.33* (1.24–8.95)

11.05*** (5.06–24.11)

2.66 (0.98–7.20)

8.13*** (3.34–19.79)

Depressive symptoms & High-risk waist circumference

No & No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

No & Yes

2.51*** (2.17–2.91)

4.02*** (3.40–4.75)

1.91*** (1.66–2.20)

3.00*** (2.62–3.43)

Yes & No

1.29* (1.06–1.57)

1.78*** (1.49–2.12)

1.39** (1.14–1.70)

1.92*** (1.60–2.30)

Yes & Yes

2.07** (1.25–3.42)

4.16*** (2.71–6.40)

2.18** (1.35–3.51)

4.67*** (3.19–6.82)

Depressive symptoms & High-risk waist to hip ratio

No & No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

No & Yes

1.55*** (1.37–1.76)

1.85*** (1.47–2.34)

1.28*** (1.12–1.47)

1.59*** (1.35–1.87)

Yes & No

1.45* (1.07–1.97)

1.70** (1.19–2.43)

1.56** (1.13–2.17)

1.85*** (1.30–2.63)

Yes & Yes

1.73*** (1.35–2.22)

2.82*** (2.11–3.78)

1.65*** (1.29–2.11)

2.89*** (2.29–3.63)

Family medical history

 Hypertension

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

2.01*** (1.76–2.30)

2.97*** (2.50–3.53)

1.56*** (1.34–1.81)

1.81*** (1.58–2.07)

 Diabetes

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

2.04*** (1.75–2.38)

3.21*** (2.60–3.96)

1.24* (1.03–1.49)

1.45*** (1.24–1.70)

 Heart disease

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

1.41*** (1.15–1.72)

2.16*** (1.81–2.57)

1.04 (0.83–1.31)

1.21 (0.98–1.50)

 Stroke

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

1.57*** (1.26–1.97)

2.19*** (1.80–2.66)

1.32* (1.04–1.68)

1.52*** (1.22–1.88)

 Cancer

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

1.38* (1.02–1.87)

2.52*** (1.58–4.04)

0.90 (0.67–1.22)

1.29 (0.97–1.72)

 Psychiatric disorder

No

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Ref.

Yes

0.96 (0.79–1.17)

1.26* (1.02–1.55)

0.91 (0.73–1.13)

1.07 (0.85–1.36)