The field of personalized medicine is increasingly confronted with the challenges posed by multi-morbidity, particularly as the global population ages. Multi-morbidity, or the presence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), is becoming more prevalent, especially among individuals over the age of 60. These conditions often form consistent clusters, though they can also appear in diverse combinations, leading to significant variability in their impact. Individuals with MLTCs generally experience poorer health outcomes, diminished quality of life, and a heightened risk of premature mortality compared to those without such conditions. Common issues reported by those living with MLTCs include reduced mobility, chronic pain, limited social opportunities, and mental health challenges. Current healthcare strategies, which predominantly focus on treating individual diseases, often result in polypharmacy—where patients are prescribed multiple medications—leading to adverse health outcomes. This highlights a critical gap in our understanding of how to effectively manage MLTCs, necessitating a deeper exploration of the biological mechanisms driving these conditions and the development of strategies to identify and prevent them earlier.

This Research Topic aims to explore the underlying causal mechanisms and disease pathways of MLTCs, develop new diagnostic methods for early-stage comorbidities, and identify novel therapeutic strategies and targets that could lead to improved patient outcomes. The research will focus on understanding the risk factors associated with the development of MLTC clusters and how these can be mitigated. By addressing these objectives, the research seeks to enhance the management of MLTCs and reduce the adverse effects of polypharmacy, ultimately improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

To gather further insights in the complex landscape of multi-morbidity within personalized medicine, we welcome Original Research and Review articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Challenges and strategies in managing polypharmacy
• Advances in pharmacogenomics related to MLTCs
• Innovative approaches to multi-morbidity diagnosis and treatment
• Patient stratification and companion diagnostics in precision medicine
• Prevention strategies and identification of risk factors for MLTC clusters
• Exploration of biological mechanisms and interactions between MLTCs

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Frontiers in Medicine

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