Method for the assessment of diagnosis in human toxicology

A method for the assessment of diagnosis in human toxicology is presented. This method follows an approach similar to that already used in postmarketing drug surveillance for the validation of drug-induced side effects. It is based on criteria of exposure and semiological/chronological criteria. A scale for objectively assessing these criteria allows one to appreciate the information available in each case report (i.e., informativity), and when this is considered sufficient, the causal relationship (i.e., imputability) can be evaluated. This mode of systematic and objective assessment should allow one to achieve a consistent case-by-case recording of data in occupational as well as human toxicology in general, to stimulate the search for lacking information, to use a common language for all those recording and reporting such data, and, finally, to improve the reliability and usefulness of published reports.