Term: Comorbidity / Comorbidities

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-04-18

Definition:

A comorbidity is simply defined as a pre-existing medical condition of a patient, or the presence of one or more medical conditions known to increase risk of death, that exist in addition to the most significant condition (usually recorded as the "most responsible diagnosis" on hospital discharge abstracts) that causes a patient's stay in the hospital. The number of comorbid conditions can be used to provide an indication of the health status (and risk of death) of patients. In other words, comorbidity is an indicator of the differential utilization of hospital care.

Note: A comorbidity is different than a complication, which is considered a medical condition that arises during a hospital stay.

Related concepts 

• Charlson Comorbidity Index
• Elixhauser Comorbidity Index
• Measures of Comorbidity

Related terms 

• Baseline Comorbidity
• Charlson Comorbidity Index
• Comorbidity Classification
• Complex Conditions
• Complications
• Complications and Comorbidities (CC)
• Elixhauser Comorbidity Index
• Health Status
• Indicators of Differential Utilization
• Level of Comorbidity and Complications
• Number of Diagnoses
• Number of Prescription Drugs Dispensed
• Severity of Illness
• Utilization of Hospital Resources

References 

• Black C, Roos NP, Burchill CA. Utilization of Hospital Resources. Volume I: Key Findings. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1993. [Report] (View)
• Black C, Roos NP, Burchill CA. Utilization of Hospital Resources. Volume II: Methods and Tables. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1993. [Report] (View)
• Brownell M, Roos NP. Monitoring the Winnipeg Hospital System: The Update Report 1993/1994. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1996. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Frohlich N, Markesteyn T, Roos NP, Carriere KC, Black C, De Coster C, Burchill CA, MacWilliam L. A Report on the Health Status, Socio-Economic Risk and Health Care Use of the Manitoba Population, 1992-93 and Overview of the 1990-91 to 1992-93 Findings. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1994. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Kozyrskyj A, Black C, Chateau D, Steinbach C. Discharge outcomes in seniors hospitalized for more that 30 days. Can J Aging 2005;24(Suppl 1):107-120. [Abstract] (View)
• Roos NP, Shapiro E. Monitoring the Winnipeg Hospital System: The First Report. 1990-1992 . Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1994. [Report] [Summary] (View)

Term used in 

• Finlayson G, Ekuma O, Yogendran M, Burland E, Forget E. The Additional Cost of Chronic Disease in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Finlayson GS, Forget E, Ekuma O, Derksen S, Bond R, Martens P, De Coster C. Allocating Funds for Healthcare in Manitoba Regional Health Authorities: A First Step--Population-Based Funding. Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2007. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Garland A, Fransoo R, Olafson K, Ramsey C, Yogendran M, Chateau D, McGowan K. The Epidemiology and Outcomes of Critical Illness in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Katz A, Bogdanovic B, Ekuma O, Soodeen RA, Chateau D, Burnett C. Physician Resource Projection Models . Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Katz A, Martens P, Chateau D, Bogdanovic B, Koseva I, McDougall C, Boriskewich E. Understanding the Health System Use of Ambulatory Care Patients. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2013. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Kozyrskyj A, Raymond C, Dahl M, Ekuma O, Schultz J, Sklepowich M, Bond R. Effects of Manitoba Pharmacare Formulary Policy on Utilization of Prescription Medications. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] (View)