Pathophysiology Key Terms

Aetiology

Cause of the disease (e.g., idiopathic, iatrogenic)

Pathogenesis

Mechanisms through which disease develops

Manifestation

Signs/symptoms of the diseaseConditions that make someone more likely to develop a disease (e.g., genetics)

Predisposing Factors

Conditions that make someone more likely to develop a disease (e.g., genetics)

Precipitating Factors

Triggers that bring on the disease

Syndrome

Group of symptoms/signs that occur together

Complications

Additional problems that arise due to the disease

Prognosis

Expected outcome or course of the disease

Therapy

Treatment or management strategies

Morbidity

Disease rate and impact on life quality

Mortality

Death rate due to the disease

Incidence

Number of new cases in a population

Prevalence

Total number of existing cases in a population