Orphan patient
Orphan Patient
Orphan patient (pronunciation: /ˈɔːrfən ˈpeɪʃənt/) is a term used in the medical field to refer to a patient suffering from a rare disease or condition, often referred to as an orphan disease.
Etymology
The term "orphan" in this context is derived from the idea that these patients, like orphans, are often neglected or overlooked due to the rarity and complexity of their conditions. The term "patient" comes from the Latin word "patiens", meaning "one who suffers".
Related Terms
- Orphan disease: A rare disease that affects a small percentage of the population. Often, these diseases lack research and treatment options due to their rarity.
- Orphan drug: A pharmaceutical agent developed specifically to treat an orphan disease. These drugs are often incentivized by governments and organizations to encourage research and development.
- Rare disease: A disease that affects a small number of people compared to the general population. These diseases are often genetic and are present throughout a person's entire life.
- Orphan Drug Act: A law passed in the United States in 1983 to encourage the development of drugs for rare diseases. The act provides incentives such as tax credits and exclusive marketing rights to companies that develop these drugs.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Orphan patient
- Wikipedia's article - Orphan patient
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