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Due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Poland, the term “coexisting diseases” appears many times. What are comorbidities and when do they occur?
Coexisting diseases, i.e. multiple diseases
Multiple illness is the presence of two or more illnesses in a patient at the same time. Terms such as comorbidities, comorbidities or comorbidities are used to describe multi-morbidity. According to Dr. Karolina Piotrowicz, MD, the most important factor of multiple morbidity is age. With age, the number of chronic diseases and medical problems as well as disabilities resulting from old age increase.
From a study published in the Journal of Comorbidity, we learn that, according to estimates, multi-disease (defined as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions) affects up to 95 percent. population over 65 years of age. And although multi-morbidity is related to age, it is also more and more often observed among the working-age population.
The exact risk factors for comorbidities are not known. In addition to age, the development of comorbidities may also be influenced by factors such as chronic infections, inflammation, metabolic disorders, ecological changes, genetic susceptibility and iatrogenic factors (medical personnel errors that harm the patient).
In addition, women and lower socioeconomic statuses appear to be particularly prone to developing comorbidities, although the reasons for this have not yet been thoroughly investigated. In a 10-year study conducted in Finland, smoking, lack of physical activity, and a high body mass index were shown to predispose healthy people to polymorphism. In men, additional factors were arterial hypertension and low level of education.
Coexisting diseases with various diseases
Various diseases cause comorbidities to appear. In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the most common comorbidities are ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, overweight, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia.
Patients with congenital heart disease may suffer from arterial hypertension, thyroid disease, mental and neurological disorders, chronic lung diseases or stroke at the same time. Coexisting diseases also appear in people suffering from cancer. Rheumatic diseases go hand in hand with cardiovascular disease, lupus and psoriatic arthritis. Coronary artery disease is a common comorbid disease in patients with renal failure.
It is estimated that at least 50 million people in the European Union suffer from multiple diseases, and this number will increase with the aging of the population. Coexisting diseases reduce life expectancy, affect its quality and work ability. They also increase the risk of hospitalization.
Also read: Overweight and obesity and the coronavirus. Report from Great Britain
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causes the COVID-19 disease. In 80 percent. In cases of coronavirus infection, the patient passes the disease mildly. Unfortunately, there are factors that can make the disease severe and lead to death. On his Instagram, doctor Łukasz Durajski, known as Doktorek Radzi, published a chart that shows the risk of death of COVID-19 patients who suffer from other diseases.
Patients with the highest risk of death have heart disease (10,5%), diabetes (7,3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6,3%), as well as hypertension and cancer. Research shows that people over 80 are at the highest risk of mortality.
In Poland, more than 560 people have died due to coronavirus infection. Most of them had comorbidities that contributed to their deaths.
Up-to-date information on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus:
- How does the coronavirus attack the body? The scientists answer
- How does the body fight the coronavirus?
- What does WHO say about the coronavirus pandemic?
- Epidemic emergency – what is it?