Type 2 inflammatory diseases (T2I) frequently coexist in patients due to their shared underlying pathophysiology. One survey of 404 patients with one or more T2I diseases, 93% of whom had self-reported moderate-to-severe disease, found that 59% had more than one T2I disease.1
However, the traditional siloed approach to treating these conditions – with different specialists focusing only on their respective domains – can lead to suboptimal patient outcomes. Recent evidence and expert consensus strongly support transitioning to a coordinated, multidisciplinary care model to avoid diagnostic delays and missed opportunities for intervention.2,3
Studies find such an approach leads to:2,3
Additionally, the emergence of targeted biological therapies that can simultaneously address multiple T2 inflammatory conditions, such as dupilumab, makes coordination between specialists increasingly important. These agents require careful patient selection and monitoring that benefits from multiple specialist perspectives.2,3
Key elements of a multidisciplinary approach include:2,3
The core team typically includes allergists/immunologists, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists (for EoE). Pediatric specialists are important for children and adolescents, as is working with the team to transition these patients into the adult setting.
Implementing a multidisciplinary approach requires establishing efficient communication protocols between specialists; creating dedicated pathways to avoid lengthy wait times; coordinating complex scheduling across departments; developing shared documentation systems; and maintaining program flexibility within an agreed-upon structure.2,3
