New European research has identified distinct patterns of multimorbidity in patients with severe asthma. These findings offer fresh insights into how coexisting conditions cluster and impact disease severity and treatment. A large pan-European analysis examined 2,690 patients across 11 countries, finding that multimorbidity in severe asthma is not random but forms recognizable patterns, suggesting underlying clinical phenotypes.
Three stable comorbidity clusters emerged consistently across regions. One linked osteoporosis with steroid-induced weight gain. Another combined eczema and allergic rhinitis, pointing to an allergic profile. A third grouped chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, indicating upper airway disease. While other conditions showed more variable patterns, the study grouped patients into distinct multimorbidity phenotypes.
Crucially, a "steroid-associated" phenotype was linked to the worst clinical outcomes, including higher oral corticosteroid use, poorer lung function, worse asthma control, and more frequent exacerbations. A "maximal multimorbidity" group required increased biologic therapies. These findings emphasize for clinicians the importance of recognizing multimorbidity patterns for personalized treatment strategies in severe asthma management.