English

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Etymology

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From white coat +‎ syndrome.

Noun

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white coat syndrome (uncountable)

  1. Synonym of white coat hypertension (hypertension exhibited by a patient only when in a clinical setting, presumably because of anxiety).
    • 2011 February 22, Ben Quinn, “Blood pressure testing faces overhaul to reduce misdiagnosis”, in The Guardian[1]:
      While more than 8.5 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with hypertension, medical experts say millions are being misdiagnosed often as a result of "white coat" syndrome or waiting room nerves.