Diseases

Catastrophic Illness

An acute or prolonged illness usually considered to be life-threatening or with the threat of serious residual disability. Treatment may be radical and is frequently costly.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An acute or prolonged illness usually considered to be life-threatening or with the threat of serious residual disability. Treatment may be radical and is frequently costly.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Catastrophic Illnesses
  • Illness, Catastrophic
  • Illnesses, Catastrophic

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

8 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings classification, economics, epidemiology, mortality, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation, therapy.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate with specific disease if pertinent

MeSH Record

History Note

82

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. C23.550.291.250w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Catastrophic Illness. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002388. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002388
  2. Catastrophic Illness. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catastrophic_illness
  3. Catastrophic Illness. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5051575