Diagnóz

Diagnóz is not a standard term in medical vocabulary. In Hungarian the correct form is diagnózis, and in English the equivalent is diagnosis. The truncated form “diagnóz” may appear as a misspelling or informal abbreviation in casual writing, but it is not used in formal medical documentation.

The term diagnosis comes from the Greek dia- “through” and gnōsis “knowledge.” In medical use, a diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease or condition based on patterns of signs, symptoms, patient history, and test results.

A diagnosis serves to explain what is causing a patient’s health problem and to guide treatment, prognosis, and management. It is often the culmination of a diagnostic process that may involve forming and narrowing a differential diagnosis—an initial list of possible conditions—before arriving at a final or working diagnosis.

The diagnostic process typically includes several steps: collecting patient history, performing a physical examination, and ordering investigations such as laboratory tests and imaging studies. The results are interpreted in the context of current medical knowledge to confirm or exclude potential conditions. Different types of diagnoses exist, including clinical diagnosis (based on symptoms and exam), laboratory diagnosis (based on test results), and radiologic or imaging-based diagnoses.

Diagnoses are not always definitive and may be revised as new information becomes available. Accuracy depends on symptom presentation, test sensitivity and specificity, and the clinician’s expertise. Misdiagnosis can occur, underscoring the importance of careful evaluation and, when necessary, additional testing.

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