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Correct and Preferred Usage of Acute, Chronic in Articles
These terms are most often preferred to describe symptoms, conditions, or diseases; they refer to duration, not severity. Avoid the use of acute and chronic to describe patients, parts of the body, treatment, or medication.
Avoid:
- chronic dialysis
- chronic heroin users
- acute administration of epinephrine
- chronic diagnosis
- chronic care
- chronic aspirin therapy
Preferred:
- long-term dialysis
- long-term heroin users
- immediate administration of epinephrine
- long-standing diagnosis of a chronic disease
- long-term care
- long-term aspirin therapy
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- acute renal failure
- chronic arthritis
- acute nephritis
Also:
- acute, severe cystitis
- acute, mild pruritus
Exception: Acute abdomen is a specific medical condition