Diagnosing a patient “who did not fit the textbook” for the disease signs and symptoms

Evidence-based medicine has been the basis of much of our treatment patterns. The fact that it is based on population studies, although frequently with very restrictive stratifications of the patients being tested, is both its strength and weakness. Thus, for the treatment of a disease such as hypertension, good results may be observed for many, but likely not all, patients. Some patients may have specific gene mutations that alter their responsiveness to various treatments. Therefore, “personalized medicine,” whereby the individual patient’s signs and symptoms, responses to therapeutic interventions, and, in particular, the use of genetic studies are considered, can allow for better treatment, especially in patients who present with unexpected or unusual signs and symptoms.

Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - September 25, 2020 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Terry Harville Tags: Editorial Source Type: research