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Overdiagnosis MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Overdiagnosis
Tree Number(s)
E01.505
N02.421.562
N05.300.565
Unique ID
D000088522
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D000088522
Scope Note
The labeling of a person with a disease or abnormal condition that would not have caused the person harm if left undiscovered, creating new diagnoses by medicalizing ordinary life experiences, or expanding existing diagnoses by lowering thresholds or widening criteria without evidence of improved outcomes. Individuals derive no clinical benefit from overdiagnosis although they may experience physical, psychological or financial harm.
Entry Term(s)
Over-Diagnosis
Pseudodisease, Over-Diagnosed
Pseudodisease, Overdiagnosed
See Also
Medicalization
Public MeSH Note
2022; see MEDICAL OVERUSE 2016-2021
History Note
2022(2016)
Date Established
2022/01/01
Date of Entry
2021/07/09
Revision Date
2022/12/15
Overdiagnosis Preferred
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