The definition of disease is central to the practice of medicine and to public health policy. Practice guidelines set standards for disease identification and treatment. Quality care is often defined as adherence to these guidelines. Over the past few years, the diagnostic thresholds for several common medical conditions have been lowered, resulting in a substantial expansion in the market for health care. The most recent guidelines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and impaired fasting glucose each define a high percentage of the adult population as in need of regular medical attention. Under the latest proposed thresholds, virtually the entire adult population qualifies for a chronic condition diagnosis. We evaluate the health and financial outcomes associated with changes in diagnostic thresholds for the prevention of three risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke: blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. Estimates of the numbers of people affected, the cost implications, and the overall public health consequences are offered.

中文翻译：

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更改冠心病危险因素定义的理由和公共卫生影响。

疾病的定义对于医学实践和公共卫生政策至关重要。实践准则为疾病的识别和治疗设定了标准。质量护理通常被定义为遵守这些准则。在过去的几年中，降低了几种常见医疗条件的诊断阈值，从而大大扩展了医疗保健市场。高血压，高胆固醇和空腹血糖受损的最新指南均定义了成年人口比例较高，需要定期就医。在最新提出的阈值下，几乎整个成年人口都有资格进行慢性病诊断。我们评估与诊断阈值变化相关的健康和财务结果，以预防心血管疾病和中风的三种危险因素：血压，血清胆固醇和空腹血糖。提供了受影响人数，费用影响以及总体公共卫生后果的估计。