When to Use Chronic vs Acute

As a researcher in the health sciences, you have likely encountered the words chronic and acute in the literature. But did you know that many authors use these terms incorrectly in their writing?

Some authors use chronic and acute to describe severity, patients, treatments, medications, or parts of the body. But these uses are incorrect. These terms should only be used to refer to the duration of a symptom, condition, or disease.

Acute: having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course; lasting a short time

Chronic: continuing or occurring again and again for a long time

To use chronic and acute correctly, only use these terms when referring to time related to symptoms, conditions, or diseases.

Incorrect

chronic dialysis

chronic diagnosis

chronic opioid user

acute treatment

acute administration of epinephrine

Correct

long-term dialysis

long-standing diagnosis of a chronic disease

long-term opioid user

short-term treatment

immediate administration of epinephrine

chronic kidney disease

acute liver failure

acute, severe cystitis