Introduction

Welcome to the Disease Modules on MerckMedicus! These disease modules provide an overview of various diseases and are intended primarily for health care providers, including:

• physicians

• nurses

• pharmacists

• affiliated health care professionals

• nurse practitioners

• health care students.

• physician assistants

If you are a patient and are accessing this site, you should understand that the information presented here is intended for use by health care providers. You should seek assistance from your physician or other health care provider in interpreting and applying any of this information to individual cases.

Each disease module provides a discussion of medical information, along with multiple tables, figures, and animated graphics. References are presented throughout each module, and a complete list of these references is available at the end of each section. Each disease module is divided into the following five sections:

•  Definition & Classification
This section provides a definition of the disease, along with an overview of the disease entity. Additionally, it describes the primary ways in which the disease is classified, whether by site, type, or specific features.

•  Epidemiology
This section describes the distribution and determinants of the disease. In addition to general information on incidence and prevalence, a variety of relevant studies both classic and current are discussed or referenced.

•  Pathophysiology
In this section, a discussion of the normal structure and function of the relevant areas precedes a description of the alterations in structure and function seen in the disease.

•  Diagnosis
This section lists the clinical features of the disease and explains how it is diagnosed. In addition to discussing the most prominent clinical signs and symptoms, the various diagnostic modalities (laboratory investigations, imaging techniques, etc.) are reviewed.

•  Treatment Guidelines
This section links to the external websites of various independent medical associations and organizations that have developed or support relevant treatment guidelines. These treatment guidelines are generally intended for health care providers. Although these guidelines describe recommended courses of intervention, they are not intended to serve as a substitute for the clinical judgment of a health care provider caring for an individual patient. Merck does not review or control the content of these websites or treatment guidelines; therefore, this link does not constitute an endorsement by Merck of the content of any of these websites or treatment guidelines.

Disclaimer

These disease modules provide an overview of various diseases and are intended primarily for health care providers. They are not intended to be comprehensive. Careful attention has been given to presenting accurate information and to describing accepted practices of medical care. However, the authors, the editors, and Merck are not responsible for errors or omissions, or for any consequences resulting from use of the information presented in these disease modules. Merck specifically makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to these disease modules.

No specific treatment guideline is endorsed. Although these guidelines describe recommended courses of intervention, they are not intended to serve as a substitute for the clinical judgment of a health care provider caring for an individual patient. Merck does not review or control the content of these websites or treatment guidelines; therefore, this link does not constitute an endorsement by Merck of the content of any of these websites or treatment guidelines.

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