title: The therapeutic test: an ancient malady in the 21st century.
abstract: The response to treatment was the diagnostic mainstay in ancient times when diseases were poorly understood. Now that the bases of most diseases are known, appropriate diagnostic means are available. However, many physicians still rely on therapeutic tests to establish diagnoses. Since most illnesses are self-limited and because of the placebo effect, many physicians and patients attribute the improvement to the medication and believe that the correct diagnosis was made. However, inappropriate therapeutic tests often lead to diagnostic delays, rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens, increased risks of adverse drug reactions, and unnecessary expenses. To reduce the frequency of unwarranted therapeutic tests, health-care professionals and educators must take steps to rectify the problem.
authors: Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors: Frank C
authors: FC
authors: Schmalstieg
authors: Armond S
authors: AS
authors: Goldman
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000266:history; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003933:Diagnosis; D064907:Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals; D004194:Disease; D004351:Drug Resistance; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D015990:Placebo Effect
chemical_list: D064907:Diagnostic Uses of Chemicals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations