Novel multimorbidity clusters in people with eczema and asthma: a population-based cluster analysis

Mulick, A. R. et al. (2022) Novel multimorbidity clusters in people with eczema and asthma: a population-based cluster analysis. Scientific Reports, 12, 21866. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26357-x) (PMID:36529816) (PMCID:PMC9760185)

Abstract

Eczema and asthma are allergic diseases and two of the commonest chronic conditions in high-income countries. Their co-existence with other allergic conditions is common, but little research exists on wider multimorbidity with these conditions. We set out to identify and compare clusters of multimorbidity in people with eczema or asthma and people without. Using routinely-collected primary care data from the U.K. Clinical Research Practice Datalink GOLD, we identified adults ever having eczema (or asthma), and comparison groups never having eczema (or asthma). We derived clusters of multimorbidity from hierarchical cluster analysis of Jaccard distances between pairs of diagnostic categories estimated from mixed-effects logistic regressions. We analysed 434,422 individuals with eczema (58% female, median age 47 years) and 1,333,281 individuals without (55% female, 47 years), and 517,712 individuals with asthma (53% female, 44 years) and 1,601,210 individuals without (53% female, 45 years). Age at first morbidity, sex and having eczema/asthma affected the scope of multimorbidity, with women, older age and eczema/asthma being associated with larger morbidity clusters. Injuries, digestive, nervous system and mental health disorders were more commonly seen in eczema and asthma than control clusters. People with eczema and asthma of all ages and both sexes may experience greater multimorbidity than people without eczema and asthma, including conditions not previously recognised as contributing to their disease burden. This work highlights areas where there is a critical need for research addressing the burden and drivers of multimorbidity in order to inform strategies to reduce poor health outcomes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was funded by the Strategic Priority Fund “Tackling multimorbidity at scale” programme [grant number MR/V005146/1] delivered by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council and in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This work was supported and funded by the BIOMAP (Biomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis) consortium. This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement number 821511 (BIOMAP). The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA. This publication reflects only the author’s view and the JU is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. This work was supported by Health Data Research UK, which is funded by the UK Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Department of Health and Social Care (England), Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (Welsh Government), Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), British Heart Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. This research was funded in whole or in part by the Wellcome Trust [G205039/Z/16/Z].
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McAllister, Professor David
• Authors: Mulick, A. R., Henderson, A. D., Prieto-Merino, D., Mansfield, K. E., Matthewman, J., Quint, J. K., Lyons, R. A., Sheikh, A., McAllister, D. A., Nitsch, D., and Langan, S. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 12: 21866
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
• Data DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7307504