AIMS: The disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and its components, namely the years lived with disability and the years of life lost, are measures of the impact of disease on human health. Our impression was that several common chronic diseases responsible for many DALYs are frequently under-diagnosed. METHODS: We attempted to summarise data regarding the under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases of the developed world, which are associated with considerable mortality and/or disability. We searched PubMed and Current Contents to identify relevant studies (1980-2005). Two reviewers extracted data concerning DALYs and prevalence of under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases. RESULTS: Studies regarding the first 15 diseases (or group of diseases) based on DALYs were reviewed. The under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases in the developed world ranges from about 20% for dementia and cirrhosis to 90% for depression and osteoarthritis. The delay in the prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for most of the reviewed diseases. CONCLUSION: The available evidence suggests that the prevalence of under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases is considerable. Physicians should be aware of the prevalence of under-diagnosis of chronic diseases and its impact on human health.
AIMS: The disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and its components, namely the years lived with disability and the years of life lost, are measures of the impact of disease on human health. Our impression was that several common chronic diseases responsible for many DALYs are frequently under-diagnosed. METHODS: We attempted to summarise data regarding the under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases of the developed world, which are associated with considerable mortality and/or disability. We searched PubMed and Current Contents to identify relevant studies (1980-2005). Two reviewers extracted data concerning DALYs and prevalence of under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases. RESULTS: Studies regarding the first 15 diseases (or group of diseases) based on DALYs were reviewed. The under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases in the developed world ranges from about 20% for dementia and cirrhosis to 90% for depression and osteoarthritis. The delay in the prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for most of the reviewed diseases. CONCLUSION: The available evidence suggests that the prevalence of under-diagnosis of common chronic diseases is considerable. Physicians should be aware of the prevalence of under-diagnosis of chronic diseases and its impact on human health.
Authors: Maria R Dahm; William Cattanach; Maureen Williams; Jocelyne M Basseal; Kelly Gleason; Carmel Crock Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2022-09-20 Impact factor: 6.473
Authors: G Samonis; K Z Vardakas; G S Tansarli; D Dimopoulou; G Papadimitriou; D P Kofteridis; S Maraki; M Karanika; M E Falagas Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2015-05-20 Impact factor: 4.434
Authors: Ana L R Valadares; Vanessa S S Machado; Lúcia S Costa-Paiva; Maria H de Sousa; Aarão M Pinto-Neto Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-11-26 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Helen K Reddel; Maria Gerhardsson de Verdier; Alvar Agustí; Gary Anderson; Richard Beasley; Elisabeth H Bel; Christer Janson; Barry Make; Richard J Martin; Ian Pavord; David Price; Christina Keen; Asparuh Gardev; Stephen Rennard; Alecka Sveréus; Aruna T Bansal; Lance Brannman; Niklas Karlsson; Javier Nuevo; Fredrik Nyberg; Simon S Young; Jørgen Vestbo Journal: ERJ Open Res Date: 2019-02-01