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Table 2 Diagnoses

From: Regret among primary care physicians: a survey of diagnostic decisions

Severity

 

Original Diagnosis

Final Diagnosis

Less serious

1

Deep vein thrombosis

Unspecific oedema

Equally serious

2

Bone metastasis from prostate CA (cancer)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

3

Heart failure

Allergic alveolitis

More serious

4

Unspecific symptoms due to polymyalgia therapy

Decompensated diabetes due to steroids

5

Constipation

Ileus, patient died

6

Arthritis

DVT with pulmonary embolism

7

Muscle strain

DVT with pulmonary embolism

8

Cervical spine pain

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

9

Cervical spine pain

Unclear, died shortly after visit

10

Musculoskeletal pain

Bone and liver metastasis in lung cancer

11

Thoracic spine pain

Perforated peptic ulcer

12

Chest wall syndrome

Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

13

Low back pain

Hypernephroma with renal failure

14

Non-specific groin pain

Inguinal hernia

15

Non-specific pain at multiple sites

Pulmonary embolism

16

Tension headache

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

17

Migraine with aura

Ischemic stroke

18

Non-specific vertigo/dizziness

Cerebral lymphoma

19

Non-specific headache

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

20

Febrile infection

Meningitis

21

Diabetic foot ulcer with necrosis

Malignant melanoma

22

Acute bronchitis

Pulmonary oedema due to mitral insufficiency

23

Bronchitis

Pulmonary embolism

24

Cough due to ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitor

Lung cancer

25

Chest infection in patient with lung cancer

Pleural effusion, sudden death

26

Superficial wound with localised skin necrosis

Massive necrosis requiring operation

27

Hypertensive crisis

Cerebellar infarction

28

Heart failure or angina pectoris

Leukaemia

29

Stable angina

Myocardial infarction with subsequent cardiac arrest