Your Lupus Dictionary A - Z
Acute
Of short duration and coming on suddenly
Adrenal glands
Small organs, located above the kidney, that produce many hormones, including corticosteroids and epinephrine
Albumin
A protein that circulates in the blood and carries materials to cells
Albuminuria
A protein in urine
Alopecia
Hair loss
Anaemia
A condition resulting from low red blood cell counts
Analgesic
A drug that alleviates pain (painkiller)
Antibodies
Special protein substances made by the body's white cells for defence against bacteria and other foreign substances
Anticardiolipin antibody
An antiphospholipid antibody
Anti-DNA
Antibodies to DNA; seen in half of those with systemic lupus and implies serious disease
Anti-ENA
Old term for extractable nuclear antibodies, which largely consist of anti-SM and anti RNP antibodies
Antigen
A substance that stimulates antibody formation; in lupus, this can be a foreign substance or a product of the patient's own body
Anti-inflammatory
An agent that counteracts or suppresses inflammation
Antimalarials
Drugs originally used to treat malaria that are helpful for lupus
Antinuclear antibodies(ANA)
Proteins in the blood that react with the nuclei of cells. Seen in 96% of those with SLE, in 5% of healthy individuals, and in most patients with autoimmune diseases
A titre of 1:80 or above is usually considered positive
Antiphospholipid antibody
Antibodies to a constituent of cell membranes seen in one-third of those with SLE. In the presence of a co-factor, these antibodies can alter clotting and lead to strokes, blood clots, miscarriages and low platelet counts. Also detected as the lupus anticoagulant
Anti-RNP
Antibody to ribonucleoprotein. Seen in SLE and mixed connective tissue disease
Anti-Sm
Anti-Smith antibody; found only in lupus
Anti-SSA
or the Ro antibody, is associated with Sjogren's syndrome, sun sensitivity, neonatal lupus and congenital heartblock
Anti-SSB
or the La antibody, is almost always seen with anti-SSA
Apheresis
Process of removing blood or some component of it from the body
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death
Arthralgia
Pain in a joint
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint
Aseptic meningitis
Inflammation of the lining of the brain (meninges) that is not due to any infectious agent
Autoantibody
An antibody to one's own tissues or cells
Autoimmunity
A white blood cell that makes antibodies
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B lymphocyte or B cell
Make up less than 1% of white blood cells. These specialised cells combat parasitic or fungal invasion, and also play a roll in allergy. Normal range = up to 0.15
Biopsy
Removal of an item of tissue for examination under the microscope
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
A product of protein metabolism. When the kidneys fail, the BUN levels rise, as do the levels of uric acid
Bullous lupus
Produces fluid-filled blisters or a rash similar to that of chickenpox
Bursa
A sac of synovial fluid between tendons, muscles and bones that promotes easier movement
Butterfly rash
Reddish facial eruption over the bridge of nose and cheeks, resembling a butterfly in flight
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Cardiac tamponade
Accumulation of fluid around the heart
Cartilage
Tissue material covering bone
Chilblains
A term used to describe cold-blisters on or inflammation of the fingers, toes or ears
Chromosomes
Rod-shaped bodies in nucleus of cells containing the genes
Chronic
Persisting over a long period of time
CNS
Central nervous system
Cognition
Awareness; ability to think methodically
Connective tissue
The 'glue' that holds muscles, skin and joints together
Complement
A group of proteins that, when activated, promote and are consumed during inflammation.
CH50 (Complement, total hemolytic), Normal range=52-128 CAE units
Complement C4, Normal range = 30-60 mg/dl
Complement C3, Normal range = 83-240 mg/dl
Complete blood count(CBC) A blood test that measures the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the body
Corticosteroid
Any natural anti-inflammatory hormone made by the adrenal cortex; can also be made synthetically
Cortisone
A synthetic corticosteroid
Creatinine
A waste product of creatine metabolism. There are high levels of creatinine in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly
CREST syndrome
A form of limited sclerodoma characterised by calcium deposits under the skin, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly or tight skin, and a rash called Telangiectasia
Crossover syndrome
An autoimmune process that has features of more than one rheumatic disease (e.g. lupus and scleroderma)
CRP (C-reactive protein)
A blood protein. Raised levels are found in inflammation such as infections
Cutaneous
Relating to the skin
Cytokine
A group of chemicals that signal cells to perform certain actions
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Dermatomyositis
An autoimmune process directed against muscles associated with skin rashes
Discoid lupus
A thick plaquelike rash seen in 20% of those with SLE. If the patient has the rash but not SLE, he or she is said to have cutaneous (discoid) lupus erythematosus
Diuretic
A drug that helps to make more urine
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid. The body's building blocks. A molecule responsible for the production of all the body's proteins
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ECG (or EKG)
Electrocardiogram, a recording of electrical forces from the heart
Electro-retinography
A sensitive screening test for early abnormalities of the retina of the eye
ENA
Extractable Nuclear Antibody. Blood test that covers Anti-RNP, Anti-Sm, Anti-La, Anti-Ro antibodies
Endocarditis
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Eosinophils
White blood cells that make up 0-5% of all white blood cells. Eosinophils are involved in allergic responses. Normal range = up to 0.5
Erythema
A reddish hue
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells, which have no nucleus and transport oxygen to the tissues
ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The blood test used as a 'barometer' of inflammation. Normal range = male 0-15mm/hour; female 0-20 mm/hour
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Fibromyalgia (fibrositis)
A pain amplification syndrome characterised by fatigue, a sleep disorder, and tender points in the soft tissues; can be caused by steroids and mistaken for lupus, although 20% of those with lupus have fibromyalgia
Flare
Symptoms reappear
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Gene
The biologic unit of heredity located on a particular chromosome
Glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the glomerulus of the kidney; seen in one-third of patients with lupus
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Haematocrit
A measurement of red blood cell levels. Low levels produce anaemia
Haematuria
Red blood cells in the urine
Haemiparesis
Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
Haemoglobin
Oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells. Low levels produce anaemia, normal range = 13.2-17.0
Haemolytic anaemia
Anaemia caused by premature destruction of red blood cells due to antibodies to the red blood cell surface
Histology
The study of the microscopic structure of tissue
Histopathology
The study of microscopic changes in diseased tissue
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IgG (Immunoglobulin G)
The major antibody of plasma and the most important part of our antibody response. Most autoimmune diseases are characterised by IgG antibodies
IgM
Initially produced to fight antigens but soon decreases and allows IgG to take over. It plays an important but secondary role in autoimmunity
Immune complex
An antigen and antibody together
Immunosuppresive
A medication such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine, which treats lupus by suppressing the immune system
Inflammation
Swelling, heat, and redness resulting from the infiltration of white blood cells into tissues
Interstitial pneumonitis
Atypical pneumonia due to either a virus or unknown factors
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
An x-ray examination of the kidneys
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LE cell
Specific cell found in blood specimens of most lupus patients. The LE cell is a white blood cell that has swallowed the nucleus of another white blood cell
Lesion
A change in tissue due to injury or disease
Leukopenia
A low white blood cell count
Livedo reticularis
A blotchy purplish discoloration of blood vessels, usually on the wrists and knees
Lupus anticoagulant
A means of detecting antiphospholipid antibodies from prolonged clotting times
Lupus profundus
Inflammation of subcutaneous fat
Lupus vulgaris
Tuberculosis of the skin; not related to systemic or discoid lupus
Lymph glands
Glands situated strategically around the body to protect against the spread of infection
Lymphocyte
Type of white blood cell that fights infection and mediates the immune response. Normal range = 1.20-4.0
Lymphopenia
A decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the blood
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Macrophages
Cells that eat antigens, immune complexes, bacteria and viruses
Mixed connective tissue disease
MCTD exists when a patient who carries the anti-RNP antibody has features of more than one autoimmune disease
Monocytes
White cells that represent about 5% of circulating blood cells. They are responsible for processing foreign materials (antigens), and the destroying cells and tissue debris that are by-products of inflammation. Normal range = 0.2-1.0
MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
The form of scan using magnetism rather than x-rays
Myasthenia Gravis
Disease in which antibodies block nerve impulses from being properly transmitted to the muscle cells and muscles become weak
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart
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Nephritis
Inflammation of the kidney
Neuropathy
Disease of the nerves
Neutrophils
White blood cells, made in the bone marrow. 50-70% of circulating white cells are neutrophils. Normal range = 2.2-7.5
NSAID
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or agent that fights inflammation by blocking the actions of prostaglandin
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Panniculitis
Inflammation of subcutaneous fat
Pericardial effusion
Fluid around the sac of the heart
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium
Pericardium
A sac lining the heart
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen
Pernicious anaemia
Condition caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and characterised by anaemia and spinal-cord abnormalities
Petechiae
Small haemorrhages, or pinpoint lesions, on the skin
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
Placebo
Inactive substance (such as a sugar pill) given to a patient either for its pleasing effect or as a control in experiments with an active drug
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)
An antimalarial drug used in the treatment of lupus.
Usual dose is 1-2 tablets daily(200-400mg)
Possible side effects include - loss of appetite, nausea, indigestion, headache, diarrhoea, itching or rash, rarely hydroxychloroquine may affect the eyes (regular checks can monitor this)
Plasmapheresis
Filtration of blood plasma through a machine to remove proteins that may aggravate lupus
Platelet
A component of blood responsible for clotting
Platelet count
Normal range = 150,000-450,000/cmm
Pleura
A sac lining the lung
Pleural effusion
Fluid in the sac lining the lung
Pleuritis/pleurisy
Irritation or inflammation of the lining of the lung
Polyarteritis
A disease closely related to lupus featuring inflammation of medium and small-sized blood vessels
Polymyalgia rheumatica
An autoimmune disease of the joints and muscles seen in older patients with high sedimentation rates who have severe aching in their shoulders, upper arms, hips and upper legs
Polymyositis
An autoimmune disease that targets muscles
Prednisone; prednisolone
Synthetic steroids
Proteinuria
Excess protein levels in the urine
Pulmonary hypertension
Elevated blood pressure in the lungs
Pulse steroids
Very high doses of corticosteroids given intravenously over 1 to 3 days to critically ill patients
Purpura
Red spots under the skin - due to 'leaky' small blood vessels or to very low platelet counts
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Rash
Inflammation of the skin
Raynaud's disease
Isolated Raynaud's phenomenon; not part of any other disease
Raynaud's phenomenon
Discolouration of the hands or feet (they turn blue, white or red) especially with cold temperatures; a feature of an autoimmune disease
RBC
Red blood cell count. Normal range = 4.20-5.80
Remission
Quiet period free from symptoms, but not necessarily representing a cure
Rheumatic disease
Any of 150 disorders affecting the immune or musculoskeletal systems. About 30 of these are also autoimmune
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic disease of the joints marked by inflammatory changes in the joint-lining membranes, which may give positive results on tests of rheumatoid factor and ANA
Rheumatologist
An internal medicine specialist who has completed at least a 2-year fellowship studying rheumatic diseases
Ro-antibody
See anti-SSA
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SCLE
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A rash, often circular and distributed on the chest, neck and upper arms. Sometimes seen in patients whose blood tests are negative. It is very sensitive to UV light.
Scleritis
Inflammation (and redness) in the white of the eye
Scleroderma
An autoimmune disease featuring rheumatoid-type inflammation, tight skin and vascular problems
Sedimentation rate
Test that measures the precipitation of red cells in a column of blood; high rates usually indicate increased disease activity
Septrin
An antibiotic - often causes rashes in lupus patients
Serositis
Inflammation of the lining (serosa) of organs - usually either pleurisy, pericarditis or peritonitis
Sjögren's syndrome
Dry eyes, dry mouth, and arthritis observed with most autoimmune disorders or by itself (primary Sjögren's)
Synovitis
Inflammation of the tissues lining a joint
Systemic
Pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole
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T cell
A lymphocyte responsible for immunologic memory
Temporal arteritis
Inflammation of the temporal artery (located in the scalp) associated with high sedimentation rates, systemic symptoms and sometimes loss of vision
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelet counts
Thymus
A gland in the neck area responsible for immunologic maturity
Titre
Amount of a substance, such as ANA
Tolerance
The failure to make antibodies to an antigen
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UV light
Ultraviolet light. Its spectrum includes UVA (320 to 400 nanometers), UVB (290 to 320 nm), and UVC (200 to 290 nm) wave lengths
Uremia
Marked kidney insufficiency frequently necessitating dialysis
Vasculitis
Inflammation of the blood vessels
WBC
White blood cell count. Normal range = 3.8-11.0
Extracted from the Lancashire & Cheshire Lupus Group website and printed with their kind permission
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