More than 2,500 combinations of health conditions were analyzed to discover potential drug or prevention strategies aimed at delaying the onset of multimorbidity.
This research lays a foundation for future studies into the causes of overlapping health conditions, aiming to enhance personalized treatment and improve healthcare efficiency.
The GEMINI study, led by the University of Exeter Medical School, represents the largest analysis of genetic and patient records concerning long-term health conditions, focusing on multimorbidity in the U.K. and Spain.
This extensive research analyzed genetics and clinical data from over three million individuals and was funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The study identified treatable conditions like B12 deficiency and iron deficiency anemia as contributing factors to the development of multimorbidity, suggesting that managing these could prevent further complications.
Published in eBioMedicine, the study identified genetic overlaps in 72 long-term health conditions linked to aging, revealing connections between specific genes and multiple conditions.
Professor Chris Whitty, the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor, underscored the importance of improving treatment for multimorbidity as a research priority.
Currently, approximately nine million people in the U.K. suffer from multimorbidity, which accounts for half of the NHS budget.
The research highlighted genetic connections that explain the likelihood of co-occurring health conditions in patients, aiding in the understanding of multimorbidity.
Dr. Joao Delgado, the lead researcher, emphasized the significant impact of overlapping conditions on patients' lives and the high costs of treatment, advocating for a personalized approach.
Co-author Professor Jane Masoli noted the complexity of treating overlapping conditions and called for a more integrated approach to healthcare, as current clinical guidelines often focus on single diseases.
Dr. Joao Delgado emphasized the importance of understanding overlapping conditions, highlighting their significant impact and treatment challenges.
