Disease Etiology (2) Conditions for / Precipitating factors of
disease
Disease:
An abnormal life process which is induced
by disorders of homeostasis under the action
of certain causes and conditions.
A pathologic process with disturbances of
function, metabolism, and structure in the
body which are manifested by a
characteristic set of signs and symptoms.
Etiology
Etiology studies the contributing factors that
cause diseases including causative,
predisposing, and precipitating factors.
(1) Etiological factors / Causes of diseases
(3) Predisposing factors of disease
1) Etiological factors /Causes of diseases
An etiological factor causes a disease and
determines its characteristics.
Classification of etiological factors
Biological factors
Physical factors
Chemical factors
Nutritional factors
Immunological factors
Hereditary factors
Congenital factors
Social and psychological factors
Physical factors
Physical agents include mechanical injuries,
extremes of temperature, electricity and
radiation.
Chemical factors
Chemical agents: can damage cells by varies
pathways.
For instance, corrosive chemicals, such as
strong acids and alkalis, can destroy cells at
the site of contact.
Other chemicals are selective in their sites of
action, such as binding of carbon monoxide
to hemoglobin.
Nutritional Imbalance
Either excesses or deficiencies of nutrients
predispose cells to injury.
For example, high lipids and carbohydrates
diet predispose a person to obese disease,
atherosclerosis and diabetes.
1
 The most common nutritional deficiency is
the lack in certain constituents, such as
vitamins, calcium, and trace elements.
Immunological factors
Although the immune response is a normal
protective mechanism, it may cause diseases when
the response is:
2) Conditions for disease
Precipitating factor: intensify the effects of
causative factors and promote the onset and
development of diseases, including natural,
physical, and social conditions.
Risk factor
3) Predisposing factors of disease

o inappropriately strong (allergy or A predisposing factor refers to the factor

hypersensitivity) that influences the susceptibility or
o misdirected (autoimmune disease) resistance to certain disease. It includes the
o deficient (immunodeficiency disease) genetic constitution, physiological make up,
as well as various psychological
Genetic factors characteristics.
Genetic aberrancies may be caused by single or
polygenic mutations. They are transmitted by
defective genes, such as sickle cell anemia, and
colorblindness.

o Gene mutation
o Chromosomal aberration

Congenital factors

The disorders result from abnormal

embryonic development, and most of them
are nongenetic.
For example, congenital birth defects,
mental or physical, may be due to a
developmental error during pregnancy. The
fetus is usually susceptible to not only
infectious diseases but also diet and drug-
taking of the mother during intrauterine life;

Social and psychological factors

Strong or persistent psychological stimulation or

stress may lead to mental illness and may be related
to some diseases, such as hypertension, peptic ulcer,
coronary heart disease, and depression.