Indicator
Indicator (medicine)
Indicator (pronounced in-di-kay-tor) is a term used in medicine to denote a sign, symptom, or measure that reflects the presence or state of a disease or condition. The term is derived from the Latin word 'indicare', meaning to point out or show.
Etymology
The term 'indicator' comes from the Latin 'indicare', which means to point out or show. It was first used in the medical context in the 19th century.
Definition
In medicine, an indicator is a measurable or observable factor that gives a clue about the state of a patient's health or the progress of a disease. Indicators can be objective (measured or observed by someone other than the patient) or subjective (experienced and reported by the patient).
Types of Indicators
There are several types of indicators in medicine, including:
- Symptom: A subjective indicator of disease, such as pain or fatigue.
- Sign: An objective indicator of disease, such as a rash or elevated blood pressure.
- Biomarker: A measurable indicator of the severity or presence of some disease state.
- Risk factor: An attribute or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury.
Use in Medicine
Indicators are used in medicine to diagnose diseases, monitor the progress of diseases, guide treatment decisions, and assess the effectiveness of interventions. They can also be used in medical research to understand the causes and outcomes of diseases.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Indicator
- Wikipedia's article - Indicator
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