COMEDK 2007 MCQ Answer 155

The correct answer is D

The “iceberg of disease” is a metaphor emphasising that for virtually every health problem the number of cases of disease ascertained (those visible) is outweighed by those not discovered (those invisible).

Diseases may be mild or even ‘silent’ -one of the many explanations for undiagnosed disease in the community.This phenomenon is described by the metaphor of the iceberg of disease.


* For most health problems there are large numbers of undiscovered or misdiagnosed cases of disease.
* Serious and killing disorders such as diabetes, atrial fibrillation and hypertension are other good examples of this iceberg phenomenon.
* Cases that have been correctly diagnosed can be likened to the tip of the iceberg, visible and easily measured.
*In most diseases, as with the iceberg, the larger presence lurks unseen, unmeasured and easily forgotten.