Abstract
The practice of medicine has changed considerably over the past few decades and is now focusing more and more on early intervention strategies. As a result, we tend to consider pre-symptomatic abnormalities, however small, already as a potential target for treatment. In this viewpoint, we argue that we should put more emphasis on pathophysiological thinking as many of the so-called early abnormalities may, in fact, reflect adaptive mechanisms rather than disease. This view should influence medical care and education, emphasizing the importance of knowledge of pathophysiology.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 239-243 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Postgraduate Medicine |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2018 |
Keywords
- Pathophysiology
- homeostasis
- insulin resistance
- wound healing
- adaptation
- NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS
- ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION
- INTENSIVE INSULIN THERAPY
- CRITICALLY-ILL PATIENTS
- CHRONIC KIDNEY-DISEASE
- GLUCOSE-METABOLISM
- RISK
- MORTALITY
- PERMEABILITY
- INHIBITION