Syndroom

Syndroom is a term used in Dutch medical language that corresponds to the English word “syndrome.” It designates a pattern of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together and characterize a particular clinical picture or condition. A syndroom is not a single disease in itself; rather, it points to a recognizable collection of features that may arise from multiple underlying causes.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Greek roots meaning “together” and “running,” reflecting the idea that several signs run together in a given condition. In Dutch medical terminology, syndroom is used in much the same way as syndrome is used in English to describe this pattern-based concept.

Scope and examples: Syndromes can be congenital or acquired and may result from genetic, metabolic, infectious, or environmental factors. Some syndromes have a well-defined single cause, while others have unknown or multifactorial etiologies. Well-known examples include Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition, metabolic syndrome characterized by a cluster of metabolic risk factors, and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by compression of a nerve. Other syndromes are named for characteristic clusters of signs or for physicians who first described them.

Diagnosis and management: Identifying a syndroom relies on clinical observation, patient history, and often additional tests such as genetic analysis, imaging, or laboratory studies to uncover the underlying cause. Treatment focuses on addressing symptoms and preventing complications, with etiological therapy pursued when a specific cause is identified.

Clinical note: The concept is widely used across medicine and psychiatry. In some cases, advances in research refine or redefine a syndroom, while in others it remains a useful label for a recognizable pattern of signs and symptoms.