Stehbens W E
J Chronic Dis. 1985;38(11):947-50. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(85)90130-4.
Reinforcement of the concept of cause in the current lexical sense, i.e. as the sole prerequisite in the production of a disease, is essential to medical progress. Multiple factors participate in disease pathogenesis but distinguishing between cause and all contributing, conditional or risk factors is not merely a semantic exercise. To proceed otherwise is scientifically inaccurate and should be avoided for the sake of logic, clarity and precision in scientific communications and education. All non-causative, associated factors should be classified according to the specific role each plays in the pathogenesis and natural history of disease.
强化当前词汇意义上的病因概念，即作为疾病发生的唯一先决条件，对医学进步至关重要。多种因素参与疾病发病机制，但区分病因与所有促成因素、条件因素或风险因素不仅仅是语义上的考量。否则将在科学上不准确，为了科学交流和教育中的逻辑性、清晰性和精确性，应避免这种做法。所有非病因性的相关因素应根据其在疾病发病机制和自然史中所起的具体作用进行分类。
