Case definition
Case definition
A case definition (pronounced: /keɪs dɪˈfɪnɪʃən/) is a set of standard criteria for classifying whether a person has a particular disease, syndrome, or other health condition. In epidemiology, it is crucial for maintaining consistency in the classification of cases.
Etymology
The term "case definition" is derived from the Latin word casus, meaning "fall" or "event", and the Middle English definicioun, meaning "explanation" or "description".
Related Terms
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
- Disease: A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury.
- Syndrome: A group of symptoms that consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.
- Health condition: A broad term that includes diseases, symptoms, disorders, syndromes, injuries, and other related health issues.
Usage
In epidemiology, a case definition is used to ensure that every case is classified uniformly. It is often used in outbreak investigations to establish who is considered a case. The case definition can be based on clinical criteria, laboratory criteria, or a combination of both. It is important to note that the case definition can change as more information becomes available.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Case definition
- Wikipedia's article - Case definition
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