Glossary
Medical words, explained simply.
The tests, conditions and treatments you are likely to hear about in a rheumatology clinic, in plain language. Each term links to the guides that use it.
A
- ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)
- A blood test for antibodies against the body's own cells. Positive in most people with lupus, but also in many people without it — a first step, not a diagnosis.
- Read more in Lupus (SLE)·Sjögren's Disease
- ANCA (Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies)
- Antibodies that help identify certain small-vessel vasculitis types, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
- Read more in Vasculitis
- Aneurysm
- A bulge in a weakened artery wall, which can rupture if it grows large.
- Read more in Takayasu Arteritis
- Anti-CCP (ACPA)
- An antibody that is more specific to rheumatoid arthritis than rheumatoid factor, so it helps confirm the diagnosis.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Anti-SSA (Ro) / Anti-SSB (La)
- Antibodies that strongly suggest Sjögren's disease when found on a blood test.
- Read more in Sjögren's Disease
- Anti-dsDNA / Anti-Smith Antibodies
- Blood markers that are much more specific to lupus and help confirm the diagnosis.
- Read more in Lupus (SLE)
B
- Biologics
- Targeted medicines that block one specific part of the immune response driving inflammation.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis·Psoriatic Arthritis
- Borg scale
- A 0–10 scale for rating how hard exercise feels, used to keep effort at a safe level.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
- Bruit
- A whooshing sound heard with a stethoscope over a narrowed artery.
- Read more in Takayasu Arteritis
C
- CASPAR criteria
- The checklist doctors use to confirm psoriatic arthritis, combining skin, nail, joint and blood-test findings.
- Read more in Psoriatic Arthritis
- Claudication
- Pain or cramping in a limb during activity, caused by reduced blood flow.
- Read more in Takayasu Arteritis
- Complement (C3, C4)
- Blood proteins that help fight infection. Levels often fall when lupus is active.
- Read more in Lupus (SLE)
- Creatine Kinase (CK)
- An enzyme released by damaged muscle. Raised levels help diagnose and monitor myositis.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
- Crepitus
- A grinding, crunching or popping feeling or sound when a joint moves.
- Read more in Osteoarthritis
D
- DMARDs
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: medicines that calm the disease process itself, not just the symptoms. Methotrexate is the best known.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis·Psoriatic Arthritis
- Dactylitis
- Swelling of a whole finger or toe, giving it a ‘sausage’ look — a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis.
- Read more in Psoriatic Arthritis
E
- EMG (Electromyography)
- A test of the muscles' electrical activity that shows whether weakness comes from the muscle or the nerve.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
- ESR / CRP
- Blood tests that measure inflammation in the body. Useful for tracking disease activity, but they do not point to any one condition.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis·Ankylosing Spondylitis·Lupus (SLE)·Vasculitis·Takayasu Arteritis
- Enthesitis
- Inflammation where a tendon or ligament attaches to bone, often at the heel or the sole of the foot.
- Read more in Psoriatic Arthritis·Ankylosing Spondylitis
G
- Gottron's papules
- Red or purple bumps over the knuckles, elbows or knees, typical of dermatomyositis.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
H
- HLA-B27
- A gene marker found in most people with ankylosing spondylitis. Many people carry it without the condition, so it supports a diagnosis rather than proving one.
- Read more in Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Haematuria / Proteinuria
- Blood or protein in the urine — signs that the kidneys may be involved.
- Read more in Vasculitis
- Heliotrope rash
- A purplish rash around the eyes, typical of dermatomyositis.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
- Hyaluronic acid injection
- A lubricating gel injected into a joint to ease movement and pain.
- Read more in Osteoarthritis
I
- Interstitial lung disease
- Scarring or inflammation of the lungs that sometimes accompanies myositis and is monitored closely.
- Read more in Inflammatory Myositis
L
- Lip biopsy
- A minor procedure that takes a tiny piece of salivary gland from the inner lip to confirm Sjögren's.
- Read more in Sjögren's Disease
- Lupus nephritis
- Kidney inflammation caused by lupus, watched closely with regular urine and blood tests.
- Read more in Lupus (SLE)
M
- MR / CT angiography
- Scans that create detailed pictures of blood vessels to show narrowing or bulging.
- Read more in Takayasu Arteritis
O
- Osteophytes
- Bone spurs that form at the edges of a joint as cartilage wears — often visible on X-ray.
- Read more in Osteoarthritis
P
- Plasmapheresis
- Plasma exchange: filtering the blood to remove harmful antibodies, used in some severe cases.
- Read more in Vasculitis
- Purpura
- Red or purple spots on the skin from inflamed small blood vessels or bleeding under the skin.
- Read more in Vasculitis
R
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
- An antibody often found in people with RA. It also turns up in some people without RA, so it is always read alongside other tests.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis
S
- Sacroiliitis
- Inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, where the spine meets the pelvis — often the earliest change seen on scans.
- Read more in Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Schirmer's test
- A simple test of tear production: a small paper strip rests under the lower eyelid for a few minutes.
- Read more in Sjögren's Disease
- Synovitis
- Inflammation of the joint lining (synovium) — often seen on ultrasound or MRI early in RA.
- Read more in Rheumatoid Arthritis
U
- Uveitis
- Inflammation inside the eye causing redness, pain and sensitivity to light. It needs prompt treatment.
- Read more in Ankylosing Spondylitis
X
- Xerostomia / Xerophthalmia
- The medical names for dry mouth and dry eyes.
- Read more in Sjögren's Disease
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