Commentary on the systematic review: Models of care for improving health-related quality of life,mental health,or mortality in persons with multimorbidity: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

We were informed by Stewart Mercer, Professor of Primary Care and Multimorbidity, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK that we had not included an important paper entitled “The CARE Plus study - a whole-system intervention to improve quality of life of primary care patients with multimorbidity in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation: exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial and cost-utility analysis” ¹ in the systematic review paper entitled “Organization of care for people with multimorbidity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials”. ² The paper authored by Steward Mercer concluded that it is feasible to conduct a high-quality cluster randomised control trial of a complex intervention with multimorbid patients in primary care in areas of very high deprivation. Enhancing primary care through a whole-system approach may be a cost-effective way to protect quality of life for multimorbid patients in deprived areas.

Our review study categorize and examine the effectiveness regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mental health, and mortality of care models for persons with multimorbidity in primary care, community care, and hospitals through a systematic review. Although, we used a proven methodology for searching relevant literature the search, unfortunately, did not include the paper. ¹ In the process preparing the study, we searched the databases, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to May 2020.

Addition of the results from the paper that was not included ¹ will not change the conclusions of the systematic review. ²