# Complex interrelationships among respiratory diseases and chronic multimorbidity: a longitudinal network analysis and implications for future viral respiratory pandemic preparedness

## TL;DR

This study explores how respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma are linked to other chronic conditions, showing how these connections affect healthcare during pandemics.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a longitudinal network analysis of respiratory disease multimorbidity using real-world healthcare data.

## Key findings

- COPD and asthma are central in a multimorbidity network linked to metabolic, cardiovascular, and mental health disorders.
- Chronic disease management services dropped significantly during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.
- The study highlights the need for integrated healthcare strategies to manage multimorbidity during future pandemics.

## Abstract

Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure contribute significantly to the global health burden, particularly when co-occurring with chronic systemic conditions. Understanding these interrelationships is essential for designing resilient and integrated healthcare systems, especially in the context of pandemic stress.

We analyzed over 82 million de-identified healthcare claims from the Comprehensive Health Care Information System (CHIS), spanning 2020 to 2024. A disease co-occurrence matrix was constructed by identifying overlapping ICD-10 codes across individual patient timelines. Pairwise associations were quantified using Spearman's rank-order correlation. The resulting associations were visualized as an undirected disease network.

COPD (J44.9) and asthma (J45.909) emerged as central nodes in the multimorbidity network, showing strong associations with metabolic (E11.9-Type 2 diabetes, E78.5-hyperlipidemia), cardiovascular (I10-hypertension), and mental health disorders (F32.9-depression, F41.9-anxiety). A significant reduction in chronic disease management services was observed in 2022, corresponding with the peak impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a partial rebound in 2023.

The findings reveal the integrative role of respiratory diseases within broader patterns of multimorbidity, reinforcing the need for cross-disciplinary management approaches. The observed pandemic-related disruption in chronic care delivery highlights systemic vulnerabilities. Future preparedness strategies should integrate multimorbidity frameworks and ensure continuity of care for both respiratory and systemic conditions.