Comorbid diseases as an important problem of clinical medicine

In this article, we review data from the literature and our own data regarding comorbidity which constitutes an important problem in clinical medicine. Comorbidity definitions, main types of comorbidities and comorbidity assessment tools are reviewed. The causative factors of comorbid diseases and the mechanisms of syntropies development are analyzed. We present evidence indicating that syntropies are not a mere sum of several diseases. Phenotype of the disease is subject to change under influence of comorbid conditions. Comorbid diseases may have common genetic, epigenetic and pathogenetic mechanisms. Comorbidity prompts physicians and researchers to apply a holistic (personalized) approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic disease. For the first time, we suggest a strategy of “hub therapy” of syntropic diseases and discuss its rationale resting in new pathogenetic insights. We also provide several examples of successful use of hub therapy in some polypathies.