International Classification of Diseases ( ICD )

• A list of all known diseases and syndromes, including mental and behavioural disorders, published by the World Health Organisation every ten years ( approximately ). 
• Over the years the classification has moved from being disease-oriented to include a wider frame-work of illness and other health problems.
• The latest version, ICD-10 was published in 1992 and employs alphanumeric coding.
• It is used in many countries as the principal means of classifying both mortality and morbidity experience and allows comparison of morbidity and mortality rates nationally and internationally.
• A parallel list, the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps ( ICIDH ), has also been compiled and is being used experimentally.