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main symptom or predominant symptom
out to
Aug 16, 2009 05:55
14 yrs ago
18 viewers *
English term

main symptoms or main presenting symptoms

English Medical Medical (general)
Although I understand that the meanings of "main symptoms" and "main presenting symptoms" are same, which is the more natural expression in English?

I appreciate your kind assistance.
Responses
3 +2 could be used interchangeably, but "main presenting symptoms" is more precise
5 They are not exactly the same and cannot be used interchangeably.
3 Both depending on context
References
mondofacto dictionary * home...
Change log

Aug 16, 2009 08:55: Angie Garbarino changed "Term asked" from "Q2) which is appropriate, \"main symptoms\" or \"main presenting symptoms\"?" to " main symptoms or main presenting symptoms "

Discussion

hermit_1234 (asker) Aug 16, 2009:
Thank you so much Your advices are very helpful, not only for this question but also for the way of my questioning. I am glad if In can ask some other questions in this community in future when I have some.
David Russi Aug 16, 2009:
I did not mean to sound harsh My interest is in helping you, and I hope you will continue to be a part of this community.
hermit_1234 (asker) Aug 16, 2009:
As this is my 1st participation in the community.. I am sorry for that my way of question is inappropriate and thank you for your advice. Next time, I will try to show more concrete examples or make question differently as you suggest.
David Russi Aug 16, 2009:
The problem is the way you phrased the question There is no way to say "which is appropriate" without context. If you want an opinion as to whether they can be used interchangeably or not, that is a different story.
hermit_1234 (asker) Aug 16, 2009:
To show a concrete examplem is difficult... But "these terms could be used interchangeably" can be an answer.
In Japanese, while "predominant symptoms" is defined as "diagnostically-important, major symptoms" in a medical dictionary, but "main symptoms" is not defined.
So, I wonder whether the difference exists or not in English.
David Russi Aug 16, 2009:
Without an example of how you intend to use them it is impossible to answer your question; conceivably, these terms could be used interchangeably or as different concepts

Responses

+2
1 hr
English term (edited): q2) which is appropriate, "main symptoms" or "main presenting symptoms"?
Selected

could be used interchangeably, but "main presenting symptoms" is more precise

main presenting symptoms > these are the main symptoms the patient is reporting

main symptoms > this could conceivably refer to the symptoms the patient reports. However, this term is much less exact, so it could also be a reference to the main symptoms of a disease (whether or not a patient has reported them), for example.
Peer comment(s):
agree MMUlr : yes, inclucing 'representing', will certainly focus more on the patient actually presenting his/her sign & symptoms to the doctor ... (as I see it in my non-native opinion).
5 hrs
agree Kim Metzger
1 day 9 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
21 mins
English term (edited): q2) which is appropriate, "main symptoms" or "main presenting symptoms"?

Both depending on context

Although there are 35,700,000 hits on Google for main symptoms and 2,060,000 hits for main presenting symptoms, I think the usage depends on the context.
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11 hrs

They are not exactly the same and cannot be used interchangeably.

The word "presenting" is a modifying term which means that the patient actively brings the particular symptom to the attention of the doctor. He may have other symptoms, but these my be elicited by the physician.

For example, a patient may have hypothyroidism. He comes to the doctor and tells him that he is feeling hot all the time. That is his reason for coming to the doctor. That is the presenting symptom. The doctor then asks a series of questions and finds that the patient also has constipation, weight gain, hair loss and fatigue. These are also the main symptoms of hypothyropidism, that the patient has, but they were not the "presenting" symptoms.
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Reference comments

3 hrs
Reference:

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presenting symptom medical dictionary

The complaint offered by the patient as the main reason for seeking medical care; usually synonymous with chief complaint.

(05 Mar 2000)

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-08-16 09:13:16 GMT)
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http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:pIgg8Hb39kIJ:en.wikiped...

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-08-16 09:19:07 GMT)
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presenting symptom the symptom or group of symptoms that the patient complains about or seeks relief from.


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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-08-16 09:27:27 GMT)
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so, based on the references

there is no difference

IMHO
Peer comments on this reference comment:
neutral Michael Barnett : Based on your reference, I do not follow how you conclude that a "main presenting symptom" and a "main symptom" are synonymous.
1 day 6 hrs
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