ylidiagnostiikan
Ylidiagnostiikan, often rendered in English as overdiagnosis, is the diagnosis of a medical condition that would not have caused symptoms or harm during a person’s lifetime. It commonly arises in the context of screening programs and advances in diagnostic techniques, which detect abnormalities that may never become clinically relevant.
Overdiagnosis is distinct from a false positive. A true diagnosis can still be clinically irrelevant if the
Causes include highly sensitive screening that detects indolent or slow-progressing diseases, broadened disease definitions, and incidental
Consequences include physical harm from unnecessary procedures, side effects from treatments, psychological stress, and increased healthcare
Mitigation strategies emphasize informed, shared decision-making; transparent communication about the potential benefits and harms of screening