The expected course, outcome, or future health effects of a disease or medical condition.
A prognosis is an informed estimate of what may happen as a condition progresses. Depending on the situation, it may address the likelihood of recovery, complications, recurrence, disability, disease progression, or survival.
Prognosis is based on factors such as the type and stage of disease, severity, response to treatment, underlying health, and available evidence from similar patients. It is an estimate rather than a guarantee, and individual outcomes can differ considerably.
QUICK FACT
A poor prognosis does not mean that a particular outcome is certain. It means that, based on available evidence, the expected outlook is less favorable.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Diagnosis: identification of the disease or condition causing a person’s symptoms, signs, or test findings.
- Risk: the probability of a particular outcome occurring; risk is often one component used when estimating prognosis.
- Prediction: a broader term for an estimate of what will happen; prognosis is specifically concerned with the expected course or outcome of a health condition.
SEE ALSO