comorbidity

What it means

1. uncountablemedicineThe presence of one or more disorders (or diseases) in addition to a primary disease or disorder.

   Extensive comorbidity is the hallmark of immunodeficiencies.

   1 more example

   The reported comorbidity between categorical personality disorders and OCD ranges between 33 and 87 percent (Bejerot et al, 1998).

   2006, Ruth Gross-Isseroff, Abraham Weizman, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Comorbidity

2. countablemedicineA disease thus coexisting.

   Coronary artery disease is often a comorbidity of diabetes mellitus.

   1 more example

   Yet in private conversations, members of his staff were also candid that the president has comorbidities that could make him more susceptible to a severe bout of the virus.

   2020 October 2, “Trump’s Positive Coronavirus Test Upends Campaign in Final Stretch”, in New York Times

3. uncountablemedicineThe effect of such additional disorders or diseases.

In a sentence

Extensive comorbidity is the hallmark of immunodeficiencies.

Where it comes from

From co- + morbidity or comorbid + -ity.