Examining comorbidities in people living with respiratory disease

Living with two or more chronic medical conditions can be challenging for individuals and requires greater use of health care resources. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are the most common diseases that affect the lungs. People who have COPD or asthma are more likely than those without either of these respiratory illnesses to have another disease (comorbidity) such as diabetes, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, cerebrovascular, renal, and neurological disease, however there is limited research that explains why people who have one lung disease are more likely to have another condition. Biomarkers, which are molecules found in blood or urine, may be useful to establish a needed biological reason for the relationship between respiratory conditions and comorbidities. This study will attempt to answer the question; is there a relationship between respiratory illness and comorbidities?