HPFitis

HPFitis is use of HPF (high-power field) without proper qualification, i.e. without giving the field area.

HPF redirects here.

Etiology

Its etiology is thought to be either:

1. Ignorance of statistics and sampling theory.
2. Laziness.
3. A combination of the above two.

It appears to have a higher incidence in math phobic individuals.

Consequences of HPFitis

• Papers on eosinophilic esophagitis are not comparable.
• GISTs were improperly staged - until they standardized to 5 mm².
• Nottingham scoring in breast cancer is based on the standard of "10 HPFs".

Field area

Most modern microscopes, have an eye piece diameter of 22 mm. Therefore, the field diameter at 40 X is approximately 22 mm / 40 X ~= 0.55 mm and the field of view is pi/4*(0.55 mm)² = 0.2376 mm².

See also

• LPFitis - a related less common disease.
• IPFitis - a related uncommon disease.
• Basics.