Pathophysiology Unit 1 | Chapter 1 (Porth 5th Edition) Flashcards
World Health Organization (WHO) Definition of Health
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (1948).
Healthy People 2020 Determinants
- Attain lives free of preventable disease; 2. Achieve health equity; 3. Promote health for all; 4. Promote healthy behaviors across the lifespan.
Pathophysiology
The physiology of altered health, combining pathology (structural/functional changes in disease) and physiology (body functions). Focuses on disease mechanisms and preventive/therapeutic measures.
Etiology
Study of disease causes, including biologic agents, physical forces, chemicals, genetics, and nutritional factors. Most diseases are multifactorial.
Pathogenesis
Sequence of cellular/tissue events from initial etiology to disease manifestation (e.g., atherosclerosis progression leading to coronary artery disease).
Morphology
Study of structural changes in cells/tissues caused by disease (e.g., atrophy, hypertrophy). Includes gross and microscopic changes.
Histology
Study of cells and extracellular matrix in tissues, often using histologic sections for diagnosis (e.g., cancer detection).
Clinical Manifestations
Signs (objective, observable) and symptoms (subjective, reported by patient). Includes syndromes, complications, and sequelae.
Diagnosis
Process involving history, physical exam, and tests to identify a health problem. Considers validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
Clinical Course
Disease progression: acute (severe, self-limiting), chronic (prolonged), subacute (intermediate). Includes preclinical, subclinical, and clinical stages.
Epidemiology
Study of disease patterns in populations, including risk factors, incidence, prevalence, and prevention strategies.
Incidence
Number of new disease cases in a population during a specified period (e.g., per 100,000 people).
Prevalence
Total existing disease cases in a population at a given time. Reflects both new cases and disease duration.
Morbidity
Impact of disease on quality of life (e.g., disability, pain). Measures disease persistence and long-term effects.
Mortality
Statistics on causes of death in a population (e.g., crude mortality rate, age-adjusted rates).
Risk Factors
Conditions contributing to disease (e.g., smoking, genetics). Identified via cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies.
Cross-Sectional Study
Compares disease prevalence between exposed and unexposed groups at a single time point.
Case-Control Study
Compares individuals with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to identify risk factors (e.g., fetal alcohol syndrome).
Cohort Study
Longitudinal study tracking a group over time to observe health outcomes (e.g., Framingham Study, Nurses’ Health Study).
Natural History
Disease progression and outcome without medical intervention (e.g., hepatitis C chronic infection rates).
Prognosis
Predicted disease outcome, including survival chances, complications, or recovery likelihood.
Primary Prevention
Prevents disease onset by removing risk factors (e.g., vaccines, healthy lifestyle education).
Secondary Prevention
Early disease detection in asymptomatic stages for curative treatment (e.g., Pap smears, colonoscopies).
Tertiary Prevention
Reduces complications or disability from existing disease (e.g., beta-blockers post-heart attack, support groups).
Evidence-Based Practice
Clinical decisions guided by scientific evidence, integrating research with practitioner expertise.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Systematic recommendations for patient care, based on meta-analyses and expert consensus (e.g., hypertension guidelines).
Validity
Extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure (e.g., blood pressure accuracy vs. intraarterial readings).
Reliability
Consistency of test results upon repetition (e.g., calibrated equipment, standardized techniques).
Sensitivity
Proportion of true-positive results; a highly sensitive test rules out disease if negative.
Specificity
Proportion of true-negative results; a highly specific test confirms disease if positive.
Positive Predictive Value (PPV)
Proportion of true positives among all positive test results (increases with disease prevalence).
Negative Predictive Value (NPV)
Proportion of true negatives among all negative test results (decreases with disease prevalence).
Syndrome
Collection of signs/symptoms characteristic of a disease (e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome).
Complications
Adverse extensions of a disease or treatment (e.g., sepsis from untreated infection).
Sequelae
Long-term effects or impairments following a disease (e.g., scar tissue post-myocardial infarction).
Carrier Status
Harboring a pathogen without symptoms, capable of transmitting it (e.g., chronic hepatitis B carriers).
Exacerbation
Worsening of disease symptoms or severity (e.g., asthma flare-up).
Remission
Temporary or permanent reduction/absence of disease symptoms (e.g., cancer remission).
Framingham Study
Landmark cohort study (1950) identifying cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, cholesterol).
Nurses’ Health Study
Ongoing cohort study (1976) exploring women’s health links (e.g., oral contraceptives, diet, cancer).
