Multimorbidity quantification from the perspective of precision management: challenges and strategies

Global healthcare systems face growing challenges from multimorbidity as populations age rapidly. However, progress in multimorbidity research is limited by the lack of consensus on its definition and measurement. This standardization is a critical prerequisite for identifying high-risk populations, refining interventions, and ensuring consistency in medical research, all of which are essential for precision management in healthcare.

This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent studies (2011-2024) on multimorbidity and comorbidity, retrieved from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WanFang, using relevant keywords up to September 2024.

This paper reviews the definition of multimorbidity, with a particular emphasis on distinguishing it from frailty and disability. In addition, it offers an overview of widely used clinical multimorbidity assessment tools. This paper further examines key challenges in quantifying multimorbidity, focusing on three critical aspects. First, it emphasizes the necessity of developing population-specific quantification models and integrating modifiable risk factors into multimorbidity frameworks, which are crucial for precision management by enabling early intervention and mitigating disease burden. Second, it highlights the analysis of disease interactions to clarify potential mechanisms of disease progression and their association with adverse outcomes. Finally, the seamless integration of multimorbidity quantification with healthcare information systems is essential to optimize personalized management and improve treatment outcomes.