{{Short description|Categorization of medical conditions}} In medicine, '''not otherwise specified''' ('''NOS''') is a subcategory in systems of disease/disorder classification such as ICD-9, ICD-10, or DSM-IV. It is generally used to note the presence of an illness where the symptoms presented were sufficient to make a general diagnosis, but where a specific diagnosis was not made. The DSM-IV, for example, "applies the term not otherwise specified (NOS) to a disorder or disturbance that does not meet the criteria for the specific disorders already discussed".<ref>Patricia G. O'Brien, Winifred Z. Kennedy, M.S.N., R.N., Karen A Ballard, M.A., R.N., ''Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing'' (2012), p. 501.</ref> The term was introduced because "it is sometimes impossible for the practitioner completing the diagnostic assessment to categorize all the symptoms that a client is experiencing into one diagnostic category".<ref name="Action">Sophia F. Dziegielewski, ''DSM-IV-TR in Action'' (2013), p. 50-51.</ref> In the context of mental health diagnoses, four situations have been outlined for which such a diagnosis may be considered appropriate:
{{blockquote| #Client meets the general guidelines for a disorder, yet not all of the criteria are met, or the ones present are not considered clinically significant. #Significant behaviors are noted affecting social and occupational functioning, but are not considered part of the usual presentation for a disorder. #Uncertainty about etiology or the cause of the disorder exists. This is especially important when it is suspected that the disorder may be related to a general medical condition. #Insufficient information exists to fully support assigning behaviors to a particular mental disorder in the category, but the general criteria for the category of disorders are evident.<ref name="Action"/>}}
It is noted, however, that the use of an NOS classification invites scrutiny when billing or seeking reimbursement for practitioners.<ref name="Action"/>
== Examples == This classification is commonly used in psychiatric diagnoses, such as in: * DD-NOS, depressive disorder * ED-NOS, eating disorder * MD-NOS, mood disorder * PD-NOS, personality disorder * PDD-NOS, pervasive developmental disorder * Psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, psychotic disorder * Dissociative disorder not otherwise specified, dissociative disorder It is also used in the conditions: * PTCL-NOS, peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified * Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified
The ICD-10 also uses this phrase for various things, such as: * Fall from, out of or through building, not otherwise specified (W13.9)
The phrase is also used within the List of UN numbers, where it refers to a generic entry, e.g. "UN 1993: Flammable liquid, N.O.S.".<ref>{{cite report |author1=United Nations |title=ADR 2023 - Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road |url=https://unece.org/transport/standards/transport/dangerous-goods/adr-2023-agreement-concerning-international-carriage |website=UNECE |access-date=3 September 2024 |volume=1 |page=26}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:International Classification of Diseases Category:Medical terminology