Dictionary of rheumatology: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:57, 22 March 2025

The Dictionary of Rheumatology is an extensive compendium of terms, concepts, and diseases pertinent to the field of rheumatology. It serves as a guide for rheumatologists, medical practitioners, students, and researchers. The dictionary aims to cover the broad spectrum of rheumatological conditions, their pathophysiology, clinical features, and management.

A

Ankylosing spondylitis - A type of arthritis that leads to chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing pain and stiffness.
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) - Autoantibodies directed against contents of the cell nucleus, indicative of various autoimmune diseases.

B

Biologics - A class of medications that are genetically engineered from a living organism, used to treat various rheumatic diseases.
Bursitis - Inflammation of the bursae, the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near the joints.

C

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) - A condition that can cause joint inflammation due to the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
Caplan's syndrome - A rare condition associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pneumoconiosis that manifests as lung nodules.

D

Dermatomyositis - An inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) - A test that uses X-rays to measure bone mineral density.

E

Enthesitis - Inflammation of the entheses, the sites where tendons or ligaments insert into the bone.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - A blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in the body.

F

Fibromyalgia - A disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues.
Flare - A sudden increase in disease activity or worsening of symptoms.

G

Giant cell arteritis - An inflammation of the lining of the arteries, most often in the temples, causing a variety of symptoms, including headaches.

H

Hydroxychloroquine - A medication commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

I

Immunosuppressants - Drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system, used to treat autoimmune diseases or after transplant surgery.
Inflammatory arthritis - A group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the joints and other tissues, including rheumatoid arthritis.

J

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - The most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16, characterized by persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

K

Kyphosis - A spinal disorder in which an excessive outward curve of the spine results in an abnormal rounding of the upper back.

L

Lupus erythematosus - An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, causing widespread inflammation.

M

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) - A rare autoimmune disorder that exhibits features of several connective tissue diseases.

N

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - A class of drugs providing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

O

Osteoarthritis - The most common form of arthritis, occurring when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Osteoporosis - A condition in which bones become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fractures.

P

Polymyalgia rheumatica - An inflammatory disorder causing muscle pain and stiffness around the shoulders and hips.
Psoriatic arthritis - A form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis.

Q

Quality of life (Rheumatology) - Assessing the impact of rheumatic diseases on the physical, psychological, and social aspects of a patient's life.

R

Rheumatoid arthritis - A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
Raynaud's phenomenon - A condition in which some areas of the body feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or stress.

S

Scleroderma - A group of autoimmune diseases that cause the skin and connective tissues to harden and tighten.
Sjögren's syndrome - An immune system disorder characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth.

T

Tendonitis - Inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone.
TNF inhibitors - Biological medications that block tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a substance that contributes to inflammation in rheumatic diseases.

U

Uric acid - A chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines; high levels can lead to gout.
Ultrasound in rheumatology - A diagnostic tool used for the visualization of soft tissue structures within the joints.

V

Vasculitis - Inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect any organ, often causing changes in blood flow.

W

Wegener's granulomatosis - See Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a rare disorder causing inflammation of the blood vessels.

X

X-ray in rheumatology - A basic imaging technique to assess joint damage and disease progression in various rheumatologic conditions.

Y

Yoga in rheumatology - The use of yoga as a therapeutic tool to manage and relieve symptoms of rheumatic conditions.

Z

Zika virus arthritis - Arthritic conditions that can be associated with the Zika virus infection.

List of Rheumatology articles

Rheumatologic diseases

Arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints. Rheumatic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Rheumatologic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.

Connective Tissue Diseases
Rheumatology and	Connective Tissue Diseases
Ankylosing spondylitis	Arthritis
Arthritis and Rheumatic diseases	Autoimmune diseases
Autoinflammatory diseases	Behçet’s disease
Bursitis	Giant cell arteritis
Gout	Juvenile arthritis
Knee problems	Lupus
Osteoarthritis	Polymyalgia rheumatica
Psoriatic arthritis	Reactive arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis	Scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome	Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus)
Tendinitis	Rheumatologic diseases

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