Hauptkriterien

Hauptkriterien is a German term that translates to main or principal criteria. It denotes the essential requirements or non-negotiable elements in a set of conditions, decisions, or evaluations. The term is often used in contrast to Neben- or Hilfskriterien, which are secondary or supporting criteria. In many fields, Hauptkriterien identify the key factors that must be met for a decision or classification to be valid.

In medicine, the concept is commonly applied to diagnostic frameworks that separate major criteria from minor criteria. The presence of multiple Hauptkriterien, often alongside minor criteria, strengthens the basis for a diagnosis. For example, in the Jones criteria for rheumatic fever, the major criteria (Hauptkriterien) include carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum, and subcutaneous nodules, while minor criteria include fever, arthralgia, elevated inflammatory markers, and a prolonged PR interval.

Beyond medicine, Hauptkriterien are used in research, policy, and project evaluation to define mandatory eligibility, success factors, or core requirements. They help distinguish essential conditions from desirable or optional elements, guiding decision-making and prioritization.

Translation and usage vary with context; in English, the equivalents are typically “major criteria” or “primary criteria.” The term is most common in German-speaking regions and in German-language technical literature, where it serves to emphasize the decisive factors that determine outcomes.