Disease or adaptation: another look at the practice of medicine

Peter B. Soeters, Peter W. De Leeuw*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)239-243
Number of pages5
JournalPostgraduate Medicine
Volume130
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

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