Multimorbidity

Under Multimorbidity or polymorbidity ( latin for multiple disease ) refers to the coexistence of multiple diseases in a single individual. This is rarely referred to as polypathy .

Since multiple illnesses occur more frequently with increasing age, dealing with them is a special focus of geriatrics . However, multimorbidity is in principle not a fateful process. In many cases, remedial measures would be possible with appropriate therapies and care concepts or at least the restrictions on quality of life could be significantly reduced. A frequently observed problem is multimedia in old age.

There is insufficient data on multiple illnesses in the general population. This is all the more regrettable since multiple illnesses require a different approach to the patient, both from a medical and organizational point of view. The German Society for Gerontology and Geriatrics (DGGG) has issued a statement on this.

Multimorbidity can mean that a disease symptom cannot be causally assigned to a single (singular) cause .

In psychopathology, multimorbidity is used to define more precisely the combination of mental disorders and physical illnesses.

See also

• Comorbidity

Web links

• Information from the Robert Koch Institute on multimorbidity

Individual evidence

1. ^ DGGG et al.: Criteria for delimiting geriatrics. ( PDF; 287 kB ( Memento from April 21, 2007 in the Internet Archive ))
2. ↑ Berthold Jany, Tobias Welte: Pleural effusion in adults - causes, diagnosis and therapy. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt. Volume 116, No. 21, May 2019, pp. 377-385, here: p. 380.
3. ↑ Harald J. Freyberger, Rolf-Dieter Stieglitz (ed.): Compendium Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatic Medicine . 11th edition. Karger, Basel 2002, ISBN 3-8055-7272-7 , p. 102 .

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !