The authors state that a good doctor "is not one who makes the best
diagnosis because in many cases of self limited or incurable disorders the
precise and timely diagnosis does not make a great difference for the
patient."
I have a question about the term "self-limited." It seems to be used
differently by different practitioners and authors. A dictionary from 1928
gives typhoid fever as an example of a "self-limited" disease (1) while an
online dictionary today says that a "self-limited disease" is one that
"resolves spontaneously with or without specific treatment" (2). These
two definitions seem to contradict.
I would like to survey the authors and other readers here what the
term "self-limited disease" means to them. If it does not mean one of the
following to you, then please "fill in the blank."
a) a disease that tends to go away on its own, without treatment.
b) a disease that is typically not affected by treatment and tends to
persist.
Rapid Response:
What is a "self-limited disease"?
The authors state that a good doctor "is not one who makes the best
diagnosis because in many cases of self limited or incurable disorders the
precise and timely diagnosis does not make a great difference for the
patient."
I have a question about the term "self-limited." It seems to be used
differently by different practitioners and authors. A dictionary from 1928
gives typhoid fever as an example of a "self-limited" disease (1) while an
online dictionary today says that a "self-limited disease" is one that
"resolves spontaneously with or without specific treatment" (2). These
two definitions seem to contradict.
I would like to survey the authors and other readers here what the
term "self-limited disease" means to them. If it does not mean one of the
following to you, then please "fill in the blank."
a) a disease that tends to go away on its own, without treatment.
b) a disease that is typically not affected by treatment and tends to
persist.
John Hart, D.C.
References
1. Webster's New International Dictionary, 1928.
2. http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=self-
limited+disease&action=Search
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests