Word parts
co- togethermorbid disease-ity state of
What it means
An additional health problem present alongside the one being treated. For example, a client admitted with pneumonia may have comorbidities of diabetes, heart failure and depression. Comorbidities make care more complex, raise the risk of complications and change which drugs and treatments are safe.
At a glance
| Spanish | comorbilidad |
|---|---|
| Also written | comorbidities, comorbid, co-morbidity |
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
morbidity
The state of having a disease or health problem, or how often a disease occurs in a group of people.
polypharmacy
The use of many medicines at the same time by one person, often defined as five or more.
mortality
Death, or the rate of death in a group of people over a period of time.