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Acute

Definition

Acute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.

Gallery

Acute vs. chronic conditions
Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition. An acute asthma attack occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated.
Acute vs. chronic conditions
Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition. An acute asthma attack occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated.

References

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Acute. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute. Accessed January 17, 2023.

Last reviewed October 20, 2022 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

Related specialties

Clinical Trials: Acute

UF Health research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:

Study to Investigate CSL112 in Subjects With Acute Coronary Syndrome (AEGIS-II)

This is a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CSL112 on reducing the risk of major adverse CV events [MACE * cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction…

Investigator
Carl J Pepine
Status
Accepting Candidates
Ages
18 Years - N/A
Sexes
All
PERSEVERE- A Trial to Evaluate AMDS in Acute DeBakey Type I Dissection

Prospective, non-randomized, multicenter clinical investigation to assess the safety and effectiveness of AMDS in the treatment of patients with acute DeBakey type I dissection, with evidence of malperfusion, through open surgical repair.

Investigator
Eric I Jeng
Status
Accepting Candidates
Ages
18 Years - 80 Years
Sexes
All
View all acute studies

News and Patient Stories: Acute

More Acute stories