Scope of Revision of the 2023 Winter Edition
The major focus of the 2023 winter edition was the evaluation of the 2023 MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) vocabulary for inclusion in the Classification index. Several additions and changes were made to the Index and Schedules based on this review. All main index headings are now linked to the 2023 vocabulary in the MeSH Browser. Additional minor updates were made to the Index and Schedules.
Summary Statistics for the 2023 Winter Edition
- 27 New Class Numbers
- 15 Modified Class Numbers
- 1 Canceled Class Number
- 2 Modified Schedule Headers
- 47 New Index Headings – (37 from 2023 MeSH)
- 86 Modified Index Headings
- 3 Deleted Index Headings
Examples of Additions and Changes Based on MeSH 2023
New 2023 Headings Added to Index by Tree (and related maintenance)
Of the 262 new 2023 MeSH descriptors, only 37 were added to the NLM Classification index. Below is the list of 2023 index terms added by MeSH tree category in addition to other relevant classification maintenance done:
Organisms [B]
Human Papillomavirus Viruses
Diseases [C]
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome was added to caption at WC 506.5)
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment [E]
Clinical Relevance
Nerve Conduction Studies (new number created: WL 141.5.N3 Nerve conduction studies)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Blood Banking
Psychiatry and Psychology [F]
Suicide Prevention
Psychological Well-Being (Psychological well-being was added to caption at WM 101)
Family Structure
Family Support
Group Dynamics
Phenomena and Processes [G]
Food, Processed (new number created: WA 708 Processed food)
Disciplines and Occupations [H]
Cytology
Artificial Life
Evidence Gaps
Paramedicine (Paramedicine was added to caption at WA 290)
Anthropology, Education, Sociology, and Social Phenomena [I]
Forensic Microbiology
Tobacco Control
Residential Segregation
Named Groups [M]
Navajo People
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Maori People
Combat Medics
Paramedics
Gynecologists
Obstetricians
Traditional Medicine Practitioners (WZ 112.5.T7 caption changed from Traditional healers to Traditional medicine practitioners)
African People
European People
White
Oceanians
Pacific Island People
Health Care [N]
Working Conditions
Blood Donation
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Resource-Limited Settings
Access to Primary Care
Main Index Headings Changes Based on MeSH 2023
Of the 27 MeSH headings that were changed, only 14 affected the NLM Classification
2022 MESH |
2023 MESH |
African Americans |
Black or African American |
Amputation |
Amputation, Surgical |
Aneurysm, Dissecting |
Aortic Dissection |
American Native Continental Ancestry Group |
American Indian or Alaska Native |
Asian Americans |
Asian |
Asians |
Asian People |
Blacks |
Black People |
Hantavirus |
Orthohantavirus |
Homeless Persons |
Ill-Housed Persons |
Inuits |
Inuit |
Alaskan Natives |
Alaska Natives |
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures |
Plastic Surgery Procedures |
Waste Water |
Wastewater |
Whites |
White People |
Note: The following 2022 changed MeSH headings were deleted from the index:
- American Indians or Alaska Natives
- Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
- SARS Virus
Table G (Geographic Notation) Addition/Changes
The following geographic notations was added based on the new Z1 MeSH 2023 additions:
JA7-- Asia, Southern
LM2—Maldives
The following geographic notation was modified based on the Z1 MeSH 2023 change:
JA14-- Far East was changed to Asia, Eastern
2023 Summer Edition
The 2023 summer version will be published at the end of August 2023. It will encompass the systematic review of the WR Dermatology and WW Ophthalmology schedules and other miscellaneous updates.