Concept of Disease

Concept of Disease

Health

Disease
 Concept of Disease

Ecological :-

A maladjustment of the
human organism to the environment.
 Concept of Disease

Sociological :-

Disease is considered as a
social phenomenon occurring in all societies
& defined & fought in terms of the particular
cultural forces prevalent in the society.
 Concept of Disease

Simplest :-

Any deviation from normal

functioning or state of complete physical or
mental wellbeing since health & disease are
mutually exclusive.
 Concept of Disease
WHO:-
Has not defined disease

Because disease has many shades.

severe manifestation

Clinical
horizon

Inapparent
 Concept of Disease
Disease
Physiological/Psychological dysfunction
Illness.
Subjective state of the person who
feels aware of not feeling well.

Sickness
State of social dysfunction i.e. a role
that the individual assumes when ill.
Concept of Causation of Disease
 Concept of Causation of Disease

Ancient concept

Germ Theory of Disease

Germ Host Disease

Concept of Causation of Disease
Epidemiological Triad

Agent Host

Environment
Concept of Causation of Disease

Multifactorial causation
Multiple factors are responsible
for occurrence of disease

e.g. Tuberculosis – Poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding

CHD – Fat intake, smoking, lack of exercise, obesity

Multifactorial causation

Lack of Smoking Emotional

exercise disturbances

Obesity Hypertension
Thrombosis
tendency
Hyperlipidaemia

Coronary
atherosclerosis
Coronary occlusion

Myocardial ischemia

Myocardial infarction
 Web of causation
Changes in life style Stress

Excess Lack of Smoking Emotional Aging

food intake exercise disturbances

Obesity Hypertension
Thrombosis
tendency
Hyperlipidaemia Changes in walls of arteries

Coronary
atherosclerosis
Coronary occlusion

Myocardial ischemia

Myocardial infarction
 Natural history of disease

Prepathogenesis Pathogenesis
Early Late
Termination

(Process in ( Process in man)

environment)
 Natural history of disease

Agent :-

A substance, living or nonliving or a

force tangible or intangible the excessive
presence or relative lack of which may initiate
or perpetuate a disease process.
 Natural history of disease

Agent :-
• Biological
• Nutrient
• Physical
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Social
 Natural history of disease

Host (Intrinsic factors) :-

• Demographic
• Biological
• Social & economic
• Lifestyle factors
 Natural history of disease

Definition of Environment :-

All that which is external to the

individual human host , living & nonliving , &
with which he is in constant interaction
 Natural history of disease

Classification of Environment

Physical Biological Social

 Natural history of disease

Physical – Water, Air , Noise, Radiation, Soil,

Temperature, Light, Humidity,

Altitude, Vibration & Chemicals

 Natural history of disease

Biological – Animals, Rodents, Insects, Vermin,

Microbes , Plants etc.
 Natural history of disease

Social – Religion, Caste, Customs, culture,

Attitude , Beliefs, Habits etc.
Natural history of disease

RISK FACTORS

Modifiable

Non-modifiable
Natural history of disease

Risk Group
Target group

• Biological situation
• Physical situation
• Socio-cultural situation
Spectrum of Disease

• Severe
• Moderate
• Mild
• Unrecognised
 Iceberg of Disease

• Clinical cases
Water level
Floating tip
• In apparent
Submerged part
• Pre symptomatic

• Undiagnosed