TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - APPROACH TO THE PATIENT WITH NEUROLOGIC DISEASE A1 - Lowenstein, Daniel H. A1 - Martin, Joseph B. A1 - Hauser, Stephen L. A2 - Hauser, Stephen L. A2 - Josephson, S. Andrew PY - 2018 T2 - Harrison's Neurology in Clinical Medicine, 4e AB - Neurologic diseases are common and costly. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, neurologic disorders affect over 1 billion people worldwide, constitute 12% of the global burden of disease, and cause 14% of global deaths (Table 1-1). These numbers are only expected to increase as the world’s population ages. Most patients with neurologic symptoms seek care from internists and other generalists rather than from neurologists. Because therapies now exist for many neurologic disorders, a skillful approach to diagnosis is essential. Errors commonly result from an overreliance on costly neuroimaging procedures and laboratory tests, which, while useful, do not substitute for an adequate history and examination. The proper approach to the patient with a neurologic illness begins with the patient and focuses the clinical problem first in anatomic and then in pathophysiologic terms; only then should a specific diagnosis be entertained. This method ensures that technology is judiciously applied, a correct diagnosis is established in an efficient manner, and treatment is promptly initiated. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - neurology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1145767226 ER -