The acute respiratory distress syndrome: What's in a name?

摘要

DEFINING A SYNDROME OR DISEASE IN THE ABSENCE of unambiguous clinical and pathological findings is a vexing yet essential challenge in medicine. Any proposed definition will be somewhat arbitrary and open to dispute. However, failure to agree on a definition will leave clinicians and researchers rudderless. Without a unified definition of a disease, it is difficult to conduct epidemiologic studies, to assess the benefits and harms of potential therapies, and ultimately to care for patients.