The coexistence of terms to describe the presence of multiple concurrent diseases.

BACKGROUND

Consensus on terminology for multiple diseases is lacking. Because of the clinical relevance and social impact of multiple concurrent diseases, it is important that concepts are clear.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the diversity of terms in the literature referring to the presence of multiple concurrent diseases/conditions and make recommendations.

DESIGN

A bibliometric analysis of English-language publications indexed in the MEDLINE database from 1970 to 2012 for the terms and , and a review of definitions of found in English-language publications indexed from 1970 to 2012 in the MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases.

RESULTS

was used in 67,557 publications, in 434, and the other terms in three to 31 publications. At least 144 publications used the term without referring to an index disease. Thirteen general definitions of were identified, but only two were frequently used (91% of publications). The most frequently used definition (48% of publications) was "". Multimorbidity was not defined in 51% of the publications using the term.

CONCLUSIONS

was overwhelmingly used to describe any clinical entity coexisting with an index disease under study. was the term most frequently used when no index disease was designated. Several definitions of were found. However, most authors using the term did not define it. The use of clearly defined terms in the literature is recommended until a general consensus on the terminology of multiple coexistent diseases is reached. Journal of Comorbidity 2013;3:4-9.