Grant: CIHR-ICRH Travel Awards - General pool

This study provides evidence on sex differences in the likelihood of reporting disability variables in individuals with cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM), defined as two or more of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. This secondary-analysis utilizes an observational, case-control research design using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). The CLSA is a national, random sample of approximately 51,000 Canadians. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework is used to organize the disability variables of interest, which include depressive symptoms, pain, high blood pressure, eyesight, limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), and social participation. The findings reveal that females are more likely to report disabilities related to the body function and structure domain, as well as the activity domain of the ICF. Meanwhile, males are more likely to report infrequent participation. These insights into sex differences can inform targeted interventions and improve patient outcomes.