Klin Med (Mosk). 2003 ; 81(1): 5-12.

[Diseases of civilization and a nosological principle of medicine in terms of general pathology]

Khitrov NK, Saltykov AB.

The last 100-150 years are marked by the spread of so-called "diseases of civilization" (primarily psychosomatic and mental diseases) which earlier have been encountered rarely. These diseases present quite novel pathogenic factors, adaptation to which in the course of evolution is lacking. Development of civilization constantly stimulates the emergence of numerous qualitatively new pathogenic factors, on the one hand, and changes the conditions for impact of conventional factors, on the other hand. This process is becoming more and more intensive and makes the sequence "cause-specific pathogenesis-clinical symptoms-nosological unity-relevant etiotropic and pathogenetic treatment" less obvious. From this follow difficulties in application of routine methods of diagnosis, etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy based on the nosological principle as well as interest to methods of "alternative' (complementary) medicine which are nonspecific and, therefore, in some cases effective against some "diseases of civilization".