FOUR TABLES OF ABBREVIATIONS 13 April 2006


Table 1 - Some common abbreviations and acronyms used for medications, procedures, and conditions

Table 2 -More medical abbreviations including some outside of rheumatology.

Table 3 - Interpreting prescription shorthand

Table 4 -Rheumatological abbreviations and interpretations

 

TABLE 1 - Some common abbreviations and acronyms for medications, procedures, and conditions

 
Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)
 CTX           
No known  drug allergies NKDA
Methotrexate MTX
Normal sinus rhythm (heart) NS
Cellcept (Mycophenolate mofetil) CPT
Nothing by mouth
 NPO
Imuran (Azathioprine) IMR
Not yet diagnosed
 NYD
Arava (Leflunomide) ARV
Otolaryngologist
ENT
Leukeran (Chlorambucil) LKR
(Ear, Nose, Throat) (EENT)
Enbrel (Etanercept) ENB
Overdose OD
Remicade (Infliximab) RMC
Oxygen O2
Blood sugar DEX (DXT)
Packed red blood cells   
PRBC
Blood urea nitrogen BUN
Partial thromboplastin time   
PTT
Blood – red cell distribution width RDW
Past history   
PH
Blood – triiodothyronine T3
Patients   
Pts
Blood – thyroxine T4
Penicillin
 PCN
Blood – white blood cell WBC
Peripherally inserted central venous catheter   
PICC
By mouth (orally) PO
Peripheral nervous system   
PNS
Chest X-ray, CXR
Peripheral vascular disease   
PVD
Computerized tomography scan CAT
Peritoneal dialysis   
PD
Complete blood count CBC
Physician’s desk reference (drugs and medications)
 PDR
Central nervous system CNS
Pneumothorax   
Px
Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease COPD
Positive pressure ventilation   
PPV
Chronic renal failure CRF
Prescription   
Rx
Concentration of hydrogen ion pH
Primary care nurse      PCN
Diagnosis DX
Prothrombin time   
PT
Do not resuscitate DNR
Positron emission tomography   
PET
Deep vein thrombosis DVT
Potassium   
K
Epstein-Barr virus EBV
Potassium chloride   
KCL
Electro-cardiogram ECG (EKG)
Pulmonary Edema/Embolism   
PE
End stage renal disease ESRD
Pulmonary function test    
PFT
Endotracheal tube ET
Range of motion   
ROM
Eye-right OD
Rheumatoid arthritis   
RA
Eye-left OS
Seizure   
Sz
Eyes-both OU
Sexually transmitted disease   
STD
Food and Drug Administration FDA
Short term memory   
STM
Fever of unknown origin FUO
Shortness of breath   
SOB
Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD
Signs and symptoms   
S/S
Gastro-intestinal GI (G/I)
Small bowel obstruction   
SBO
Graft versus host disease GVHD
Sodium   
Na
Hemoglobin Hb
Sodium chloride   
NaCL
Heart rate HR
Standing medical orders    
SMO
Hormone replacement therapy HRT
Subcutaneous   
SC
Hemocrit HCT
Surgery   
Sx
History Hx
Symptoms   
Sx
Inflammatory bowel disease IBD
Systemic lupus erythematosis   
SLE
Inflammatory bowel syndrome, IBS
Temperature, pulse, respiration   
TPR
Intermediate Care Facility ICF
Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpuraf
 TTP
Inflammation of connective tissue ICT
Timing of medication
Intensive care unit ICU
      -every day    
QD
Ischemic heart disease IHD
       -three times daily      
TID
Intramuscular IM
       -four times daily   
QID
Inspiratory positive airway pressure IPAP
       -every other day   
QOD
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura ITP
Total hip replacement   
THR
Intravenous IV
Total knee replacement   
TKR
Lower extremities LE
Transient ischemic attack   
TIA
Liver function test(s) LFTs
Treatment   
TRM/Tx
Magnetic resonance imaging MRI
Trouble breathing    
TB
Monoclonal antibodies moABs
Tuberculosis
TB
Multiple daily vitamin MDI
Tumor necrosis factor   
TNF
Myocardial infarction MI
Urinalysis   
UA
Nasopharyngeal airway NPA
Upper airway obstruction   
UAO
Nausea and vomiting NV
Upper gastrointestinal   
UGI
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus NIDDM
Upper respiratory infection   
URI
No known allergies NKA
Urinary incontinence   
URI



Urinary tract infection   
UTI



Wheelchair   
W/C



Within normal limits WNL



World Health Organization WHO


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TABLE 2 - More Medical Abbreviations for including some terms outside of Rheumatology


A/a
 alveolar-arterial
oxygen gradient		 FSH follicle-stimulating
hormone 		PALS     Pediatric Advanced Life Support
ABCs   
airway, breathing,
 circulation		 FTA
 fluorescent treponemal
antibody 		Pap      Papanicolaou test or smear
ABG   
arterial blood gas

FTA-ABS

 fluorescent treponemal
antibody absorption (test)
 PAS      para-aminosalicylic acid
AC          before meals
(ante cibum) 		5-FU 5-fluorouracil

PCA    

   		patient-controlled analgesia 
AC           acromioclavicular F/U
 follow-up (study, exam,
 test, care) 		PCN      penicillin
ACE      angiotensin-converting
 enzyme 		FUO fever of unknown origin PCOD     polycystic ovarian disease 
aCL        anticardiolipin (antibody) G gauge   PCP       Pneumocystis pneumonia
ACLS    Advanced Cardiac
Life Support 		G6PD
 glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase 		PCR      polymerase chain reaction

ACOG

   		American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology

GBS

 group B Streptococcus
bacteria or group B
streptococcal infection 		PCWP     pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 
ACTH   adrenocorticotropic hormone GC gonococcus  160
 PD Parkinson's disease
AD        Alzheimer's dementia
or disease 		GCS
 Glasgow Coma Scale  PDA     patent ductus arteriosus
A Fib    atrial fibrillation GCT     glucose challenge test  PE         physical examination 
AFB        acid-fast bacilli GDM     gestational diabetes mellitus PE       pulmonary embolism 
AFP       alpha-fetoprotein  GE        gastroesophageal   PEEP     positive end-
expiratory pressure   
AFV        amniotic fluid volume GFR      glomerular filtration rate PEFR     peak expiratory
flow rate  
AGCUS      atypical glandular cells of
undetermined significance 		GI   gastrointestinal   PET      positron emission           tomography 
AI           amnioinfusion g        gram PFTs        pulmonary function tests
AIDS   acquired immuno-
deficiency syndrome 		GM-CSF   granulocyte-macrophage
colony-stimulating factor 		PG         phosphatidylglycerol 
ALT       alanine aminotransferase
  GN       glomerulonephritis  pH      

           

pH 7, normal;
less is acidic;

more is alkaline (or basic)
ANA        antinuclear antibody GnRH     gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
 PID      pelvic inflammatory disease
ANCA     antineutrophil cyto-
plasmic antibody 		GODM    gestational onset
diabetes mellitus 		PIH      pregnancy-induced hypertension
AP       anteroposterior gtt drops  (guttae) PIP      proximal inter-
phalangeal joint
APS      antiphospholipid syndrome   GTT     glucose tolerance test  plt         platelet
APSAC   


anistreplase, anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase
activator complex
 GU         genitourinary PMNs     polymorphonuclear lymphocytes
ARC      AIDS-related complex GXT      graded exercise stress test
 PMR       polymyalgia rheumatica
ARDS     adult respiratory distress
 syndrome 		GYN      gynecologic PMS      premenstrual syndrome  
ARF      acute renal failure h, hr       hour PO      per mouth (per os) 
ASA      acetylsalicylic acid
 H&P      history and physical
examination 		POD      postoperative day  
ASAP     as soon as possible
 HA          headache PPD      protein purified derivative
ASCUS   atypical squamous cells of
undetermined significance 		Hb        hemoglobin
 PR       per rectum 
ASO      antistreptolysin O antibody HC/AC    head circumference-to-
abdominal circumference
(ratio)
 PRN     as needed (pro re nata)
AST      aspartate aminotransferase HCG      human chorionic
gonadotropin 		PROM     premature rupture of membranes
Atg        anti-human thymocyte globulin HCT      hematocrit PSA      prostate specific antigen  
ATN      acute tubular necrosis  HCTZ     hydrochlorothiazide PSVT     paroxysmal  supra-ventricular tachycardia                                                                    
AV       arteriovenous;  atrioventricular HDL       high-density lipoprotein  PT       prothrombin time   
AZT      zidovudine (Azidothymidine) HELLP    hemolysis, elevated liver
enzymes, and low platelet
 count (syndrome) 		PTCA      percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
B12      vitamin B12 HepBsAg  hepatitis B surface
antigen 		PTL      premature labor
BAER     brainstem auditory evoked
responses 		HGE      human granulocytic
ehrlichiosis 		PTSD     post-traumatic stress disorder
BBT     basal body temperature
HIV      human immuno-
deficiency virus    		PTT      partial thromboplastin time
BCG      bacille Calmette-GuŽrin HME     human monocytic
erlichiosis
 PTU         propylthiouracil
BCP      birth control pill HMG      human menopausal
gonadotropin   		PUD        peptic ulcer disease 
BHCG     beta human chorionic
gonadotropin 		h/o      history of  PVC      premature ventricular contraction
BID      twice a day (bis in die)   HPF      high-power field    QD      every day (quaque die) 
BiPAP    bilevel positive airway
pressure 		HRT     hormone replacement
therapy 		QHS     properly "every hour of
sleep," but usually at every
bedtime" (quaque hora somni)
BOOP      bronchiolitis obliterans-
organizing pneumonia  		HS      at bedtime (hora somni) QID      four times per day
(quater in die)
BP      blood pressure  HSV        herpes simplex virus  QOD     every other day (tertio
quoque die)
BPAD     bipolar affective disorder ht, Ht    height RA         rheumatoid arthritis 
bpm        beats per minute  HTN         hypertension RBC      red blood cell
BPP      biophysical profile
HUS      hemolytic uremic syndrome RCA      right coronary artery  
BPPV     benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo 		HZV     herpes zoster virus 200 REM      rapid eye movement
BSA      body surface area   I&D    incision and drainage   RF       renal failure 
BUN     blood urea nitrogen I&O      intake and output   RFI    renal failure index
BV       bacterial vaginosis ICF      intracellular fluid RIA         radioimmunoassay
BVM      bag valve mask  ICP     intracranial pressure   RIND      reversible ischemic
neurologic deficit
C&S     culture and sensitivity ICU     intensive care unit RLQ      right lower quadrant  
C-peptide   insulin chain C-peptide ID       infectious disease  RMSF     Rocky Mountain spotted fever
C-section     cesarean section  IDDM     insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus 		R/O, r/o  rule out   
C-spine     cervical spine  IFA      immunofluorescence assay
 ROM      rupture of membranes;  range-of-motion, (exercise)
CABG    coronary artery
bypass graft
 IgG      immunoglobulin G    RPR      rapid plasma reagin
CACl2   calcium chloride
 IHSS     idiopathic hypertrophic
aortic stenosis 		RSI      rapid-sequence intubation  
CAD     coronary artery disease IM       intramuscular RSV      respiratory syncytial virus
cap      capsule IMV      intermittent mandatory
ventilation 		rt-PA  

 

tissue-type plasminogen
activator (recombinant) (Alteplase, Recombinant)
c-ANCA   central antineutrophil
cytoplasmic antibody 		IN          intranasally RUQ       right upper quadrant 
CBC     complete blood cell count   INH      isoniazid, isonicotinc
acid hydrazide 		RVMI    right ventricular
myocardial infarction
cc       cubic centimeter (for solids
and gases but ml for liquids) 		INR     International Normalized
Ratio 		SAARD    slow-acting antirheumatic drug(s)  
CD41
  helper T cell (cluster of
  differentiation no. 41)   		IO          intraosseous SAH      subarachnoid hemorrhage
CDC      Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 		IPPV      intermittent positive-
pressure ventilation 		SBP      systolic blood pressure
CEA        carcinoembryonic antigen  ISA      intrinsic stimulating activity SCIWORA  spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality  
CFU      colony-forming unit
ITP idiopathic thrombocyto-
penia purpura 		SGA      small for gestational age 
CHF        congestive heart failure IU       International Unit
 SGOT    See AST
Chol     cholesterol IUD      intrauterine device SGPT    See ALT
CIN     cervical intraepithelial
Neoplasia (1 to 3:
 mild to severe)
 IUFD      intrauterine fetal
demise 		SIL      squamous intraepithelial
lesions
CK       creatine kinase IUGR    intrauterine growth
retardation 		SK         streptokinase
CLL     chronic lymphocytic
leukemia 		 IUP     intrauterine pregnancy  SL        sublingual
cm        centimeter IV       intravenous SLE      systemic lupus erythematosus
CMV      cytomegalovirus IVDA     intravenous drug abuser SLR      straight-leg raising (test)
CNS      central nervous system  IVP      intravenous pyelogram   SOB      shortness of breath
CO2      carbon dioxide  JRA      juvenile rheumatoid sp. gr.    specific gravity 
COPD    chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease 		KS       Kaposi's sarcoma      SPECT   y  single-photon emission           computerized tomograph
CPAP     continuous positive airway LA       lupus anticoagulant
 SQ          subcutaneous
CPD      cephalopelvic disproportion LAT     preparation of lidocaine,
epinephrine (adrenaline),
tetracain 		SR         slow release 
CPK       creatine phosphokinase LBBB        left bundle branch block SROM     spontaneous rupture of membrane
CPPD     calcium pyrophosphate
Dihydrate (crystals) 
(pseudogout)
 LDH       lactate dehydrogenase   SS       single strength
CPR      cardiopulmonary
resuscitation 		LDL      low-density lipoprotein SSKI    saturated solution of
potassium iodide 
Cr        creatinine LE      lupus erythematosus SSRI    selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors
CRF     chronic renal failure   LES     lower esophageal sphincter STD      sexually transmitted disease
CRP       C-reactive protein LFT       liver function tests   T3       triiodothyronine
CSF     cerebrospinal fluid LGI     lower GI (gastrointestinal) T4         thyroxine
CST       contraction stress fluid
 LH      luteinizing hormone TAC      preparation of tetracycline,
epinephrine (adrenaline), cocaine
CT       computerized tomography LLQ      left lower quadrant 240 Tb, TB      tuberculosis
CVA      cerebrovascular accident
 LMP      last menstrual period TBG      thyroxine-binding globulin
CVAT    costovertebral-angle
tenderness 		LMW       low molecular weight  TBSA    total body surface area
CVD     cerebrovascular disease LOC       loss of consciousness TBW     total body water   
CVN     central venous nutrition
 LP       lumbar puncture 3TC       lamivudine
CVP     central venous pressure LR        lactated Ringer's solution TCA      tricyclic antidepressant
CVS    cardiovascular system
 L/S      lecithin-to-sphingo-
myelin (ratio) 		TEDS     thromboembolic disease
support (stockings, hose)
c/w      consistent with

LSIL

 low-grade squamous intra-
epithelial lesion  		TEE      transesophageal echocardiography
CXR     chest x-ray film or
radiograph 		LUQ     left upper quadrant

TENS      

transcutaneous electrical
nerve stimulation
D&C        dilatation and curettage
 LV         left ventricular TFT      thyroid function test  
DBP        diastolic blood pressure  MAI/MAC  Mycobacterium avium-intra- cellulare/M. avium complex TG         triglycerides
DDAVP    1-deamino-8-D-arginine
vasopressin 		MAO        monoamine oxidase TIA        transient ischemic attack
DDC, ddC  dideoxycytidine,
zalcitabine, Hivid 		MAOI    monoamine oxidase
inhibitors 		TIBC   total iron-binding capacity
DDI, ddI   dideoxyinosine, didanosine  MAST    military antishock trousers TM       tympanic membrane  
D5W      5%  dextrose in water  MCP      metacarpophalangeal joint
 TMJ      temporomandibular joint
D4T      stavudine   MCV     mean corpuscular volume TMP/SMX  trimethoprim-sulfameth-
oxazole (complex)
DHE      dihydroergotamine   MDD        major depressive disorder TORCHS   toxoplasmosis, rubella,

cytomegalovirus, herpes
simplex syphilis (infection)

 

DHT      dihydrotestosterone MDI       metered dose inhaler  TPA     tissue plasminogen activator
DIC      disseminated intravascular
coagulation 		MEE     middle ear effusion TPN      total parenteral nutrition
DIP      distal interphalangeal joint
 mEq      milliequivalent TRH       thyrotropin-releasing hormone 
DKA        diabetic ketoacidosis mg         milligram 
 TSH      thyroid-stimulating hormone
dl         deciliter mg         microgram TTP      thrombotic thromb-
ocytopenic purpura
DM       diabetes mellitus   MI      myocardial infarction   TURP     transurethral prostatectomy
DPL     diagnostic peritoneal lavage min       minute TWAR     Taiwan acute respiratory disease
DPT      diphtheria-pertussis-
tetanus (vaccine)  		mm Hg    millimeters of mercury  U           unit
DS       double strength mmol       millimole UA        urinalysis
DSM     Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders) 		MMPI     Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory 		UC       ulcerative colitis 
dsDNA      double-stranded deoxyribo-
nucleic acid 		MMR      measles-mumps-
rubella (vaccine) 		UGI    upper gastrointestinal (tract)
DTR       deep tendon reflexes  MMSE     Mini-Mental State
examination 		U/P       urine-to-plasma ratio 
DTs     
 delirium tremens
mOsm     milliosmole URI     upper respiratory infection
DVT    deep venous thrombosis  MR       measles and rubella
(vaccine) 		U/S ultrasound, ultrasonogram, ultrasonography
D/W       dextrose in water MRI     magnetic resonance
imaging  		UTI      urinary tract infection
EBV     Epstein-Barr virus  MS      multiple sclerosis UV       ultraviolet (radiation); B refers
to the shorter wave-length,
more damaging range             
ECF      extracellular fluid MTP      metatarsophalangeal joint
 V Fib   ventricular fibrillation 
ECG    electrocardiogram   MVP      mitral valve prolaspe  V Tach   ventricular tachycardia
ECMO     extracorporeal membrane oxygenation N&V     nausea and vomiting VBAC        vaginal birth after cesarean section
ED       emergency department NCV     nerve conduction velocity
 VCUG      voiding cystourethrogram  
EDC     estimated date of
confinement 		NG       nasogastric VDRL  Venereal Disease Research
Lab (test)  
EEG      electroencephalogram    NHL      non-Hodgkin's lymphoma V/Q      ventilation-perfusion ratio
EES     erythromycin ethyl-
succinate
 NIDDM    non-insulin dependent
diabetes mellitus 		VSD      ventricular septal defect  
EGD       esophagogastro-
duodenoscopy 		NPH     neutral protamine
Hagedorn
 Vt      tidal volume   
EIA      enzyme immunoassay NPO      nothing by mouth
(nulla per os) 		VT       vestibular training
ELISA    enzyme-linked immuno-
sorbent assay 		NS        normal saline solution vWF     von Willebrand's factor
EM      erythema multiforme NSAID   nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug 		WBC     white blood cell (count)   
EMG      electromyogram  NST      nonstress test  wt, Wt   weight
ENG     electronystagmography   NSVD     normal spontaneous
vagina delivery

ENT      ear, nose, throat   NTD     neural tube defect 

ER      emergency room  NTG        nitroglycerin

ERCP     endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancrea-
tography 		O&P     ova and parasites  

ESR     erythrocyte sediment-
ation rate
 OA        osteoarthritis

ET      endotracheal tube   OCD      obsessive-compulsive disorder

FB       foreign body    OCP     oral contraceptive pill

FDA     U.S. Food and Drug
Administration 		17-OHS 17-hydroxysteroid (that is,           17-hydroxycorticosteroid)

Fe     iron    OM       otitis media   

FENa   fractional excretion
of sodium 		OPV     oral poliovirus

FEF      forced expiratory flow  ORS WHO  oral rehydration solution  

FEV1      forced expiratory
volume at 1 second  		osm,  Osm osmole; osmolality 

FFP     fresh frozen plasma OTC     over the counter   

FH      family history  PA       posteroanterior

FHR        fetal heart rate  150 PAC     premature atrial contraction








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TABLE 3 - INTERPRETING PRESCRIPTION SHORTHAND

 

     Shorthand                 Definition                                           Shorthand                          Definition                                              


Ì‹ ana, so much of each P post, after
a.c. ante cibum, before meals per os by mouth
ad effect  until effective qd quaque die, every day
ad lib as much as desired qh quaque hora, every hour
AP ante partum, before childbirth              
qid quater in die, four times a day
Ap ante prandium, before dinner qv          quatum vis, as much as you wish
Aq aqua, water Rx recipe, prescription
Bid bis en die, twice each day STAT statim, immediately
C cum, with sum. sumat, let it be taken
Dbl double T or T¡
 temperature
h.s. hora somni, at bedtime T time
i.d. idem, the same Tid ter in die, three times each day
IM intramuscular ut dict ut dictum, as directed
K constant vid see
Mb misce bene, mix well W
 weight
MDR minimum daily requirement w/
 with
MED minimum effective dose x unknown factor
npo nil peros, nothing by mouth

› nono, without

O.D. oculus dexter, right eye

O.S. oculus sinister, left eye


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    TABLE 4 - RHEUMATOLOGICAL ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

http://www.clinexprheumatol.org/acronyms.asp  

A unified list of acronyms has been drawn up and approved by the editors of the principal journals in the field of rheumatology. It originally appeared in the November 1998 issue of Arthritis and scientific communication.  

1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

1,25(OH)2D3

25-hydroxyvitamin D

25(OH)D

α1-macroglobulin

α1M

α2-microglobulin

α2m

α2-plasmin inhibitor

α2PI

anticentromere antibodies

ACA

anticardiolipin antibodies

aCL

American College of Rheumatology

ACR

Arthritis Foundation

AF

aggregated human IgG

AHG

Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales

AIMS

antimitochondrial antibodies

AMA

antinuclear antibodies

ANA

antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

ANCA

anti-glomerular basement membrane

anti-GBM

alkaline phosphatase

AP

antiphospholipid antibodies

aPL

antiphospholipid syndrome

APS

American Rheumatism Association

ARA

Arthritis, Rheumatism and Aging
Medical Information System

ARAMIS

adult respiratory distress syndrome

ARDS

acute rheumatic fever

ARF

ankylosing spondylitis

AS

acetylsalicylic acid

ASA

anti-smooth muscle antibodies

ASMA

azathioprine

AZA

British Isles Lupus Assessment Group

BILAG

bone mineral content

BMC

bone mineral density

BMD

body mass index

BMI

bovine serum albumin

BSA

cortical area

CA

cytoplasmic ANCA or classic ANCA

cANCA

complementary DNA

cDNA

collagen-induced arthritis

CIA

circulating immune complex

CIC

counterimmunoelectrophoresis

CIE

carpometacarpal joint

CMC joint

cytomegalovirus

CMV

central nervous system lupus

CNS lupus

calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

CPDD

calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate

CPPD

calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal
dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias

CREST

chromosomal RNA

cRNA

C-reactive protein

CRP

chondroitin sulfate

CS

cyclosporin A

CSA

Cooperative Systematic Studies
of the Rheumatic Diseases (group)

CSSRD

computed tomography

CT

connective tissue disease

CTD

cathepsin G

CTG

carpal tunnel syndrome

CTS

coxsackievirus B

CVB

D-penicillamine

D-Pen

diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis

dcSSc

denatured DNA

dDNA

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

DHEAS

direct immunofluorescence

DIF

distal interphalangeal joint

DIP joint

diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis

DISH

discoid lupus erythematosus

DLE

dermatomyositis

DM

disease-modifying antirheumatic drug(s)

DMARD(s)

Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium

DMEM

deoxyribonucleic acid

DNA

dual-photon absorptiometry

DPA

double-stranded DNA

dsDNA

dual x-ray absorptiometry

DXA

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen

EBNA

Epstein-Barr virus

EBV

European Consensus Lupus Activity Measure

ECLAM

eosinophilic fasciitis

EF

enzyme immunoassay

EIA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

ELISA

electron microscopy

EM

electromyography

EMG

extractable nuclear antigen

ENA

ear, nose, throat

ENT

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESR

European SpondylarthropathyStudy Group

ESSG

endothelin 1

ET-1

fluorescence-activated cell sorter

FACS

fluorescent antinuclear antibodies

FANA

fluorescence in situ hybridization

FISH

fibromyalgia

FM

familial Mediterranean fever

FMF

fast protein (or fast performance)
liquid chromatography

FPLC

Felty's syndrome

FS

fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption

FTA-ABS

glycosaminoglycan

GAG

giant cell arteritis

GCA

granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

G-CSF

granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

GM-CSF

glomerulonephritis

GN

IgG phospholipid units

GPL

hyaluronic acid

HA

Health Assessment Questionnaire

HAQ

heat-aggregated IgG

HAGG

hepatitis A virus

HAV

hepatitis B surface antigen

HBsAg

hepatitis B virus

HBV

hydroxychloroquine

HCQ

hepatitis C virus

HCV

hepatitis delta virus

HDV

hepatoma cell line

Hep

human epithelial cell line 2

HEp-2

hepatitis E virus

HEV

human herpesvirus 6

HHV-6

histidyl-transfer RNA

his-tRNA

human immunodeficiency virus

HIV

heterogeneous nuclear RNA

hnRNA

heterogeneous nuclear RNP

hnRNP

hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

HOA

high performance (or high pressure)
liquid chromatography

HPLC

human papilloma virus

HPV

human parvovirus B19

HPV B19

hormone replacement therapy

HRT

Henoch-Schšnlein purpura

HSP

hypersensitivity vasculitis

HSV

herpes simplex virus type 1

HSV-1

human T cell lymphotrophic virus

HTLV

hemagglutinin virus of Japan

HVJ

intraarticular

IA

inflammatory bowel disease

IBD

inclusion body myositis

IBM

immune complex

IC

ionized calcium

iCa

immunodiffusion

ID

isoelectric focusing

IEF

immunofluorescence

IF

interferon

IFN

indirect immunofluorescence

IIF

interleukin

IL

International League of Associations
for Rheumatology

ILAR

interphalangeal joint

IP joint

idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

ITP

juvenile chronic arthritis

JCA

juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

JRA

keratoconjunctivitis sicca

KCS

kaolin clotting time

KCT

kaolin cephalin thromboplastin time

KCTT

kinetoplast DNA

kDNA

La antigen

La

La/SSB antigen

La/SSB

lupus anticoagulant

LAC

Lupus Activity Criteria Count

LACC

limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis

lcSSc

lupus erythematosus cells

LE cells

light microscopy

LM

monoclonal antibody

mAb

metacarpophalangeal joint

MCP joint

macrophage colony-stimulating factor

M-CSF

mixed connective tissue disease

MCTD

major histocompatibility complex

MHC

micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

micro-ELISA

matrix metalloproteinase
(or matrix metalloprotease)

MMP

IgM phospholipid units

MPL

myeloperoxidase

MPO

monoclonal rheumatoid factor

mRF

magnetic resonance imaging

MRI

messenger RNA

mRNA

mass spectometry

MS

monosodium urate monohydrate

MSU

metatarsophalangeal joint

MTP joint

methotrexate

MTX

native DNA

nDNA

normal human serum

NHS

National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

NIAMS

nuclear magnetic resonance

NMR

nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug(s)

NSAID(s)

osteoarthritis

OA

osteocalcin

OC

Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid
Arthritis Clinical Trials

OMERACT

polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

PAGE

polyarteritis nodosa

PAN

perinuclear ANCA

pANCA

proliferating cell nuclear antigen

PCNA

polymerase chain reaction

PCR

Paget's disease

PD

platelet-derived growth factor

PDGF

positron emission tomography

PET

prostaglandin

PG

proximal intephalangeal joint

PIP joint

polymyositis

PM

polymyositis/dermatomyositis

PM/DM

polymyalgia rheumatica

PMR

proteinase 3

PR3

psoriatic arthritis

PsA

parathyroid hormone

PTH

partial thromboplastin time

PTT

psoralen ultraviolet A

PUVA

quantitative computed tomography

QCT

rheumatoid arthritis

RA

rheumatoid arthritis hemagglutination
assay

RAHA

rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen

RANA

rheumatic disease unit

RDU

reactive arthritis

ReA

rheumatoid factor

RF

radioimmunoassay

RIA

radial immunodiffusion

RID

ribonucleic acid

RNA

ribonucleoprotein

RNP

Ro antigen

Ro

Ro/SSA antigen

Ro/SSA

Raynaud's phenomenon

RP

ribosomal RNA

rRNA

Reiter's syndrome

RS

remitting seronegative symmetrical
synovitis with pitting edema

RS3PE

reflex sympathetic dystrophy (syndrome)

RSD

respiratory syncytial virus

RSV

reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

RT-PCR

slow-acting antirheumatic drug(s)

SAARD(s)

sheep cell agglutination test

SCAT

Sclero-70

Scl-70

subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

SCLE

small cytoplasmic RNP

scRNP

salmon calcitonin

SCT

sodium dodecyl sulfate

SDS

seronegative enthesopathy and
arthropathy (syndrome)

SEA

synovial fluid

SF

Spondylitis Functional Index

SFI

sex hormone binding globulin

SHBG

sacroiliac joint

SI joint

Systemic Lupus Activity Measure

SLAM

Systemic Lupus Criteria Count

SLCC

systemic lupus erythematosus

SLE

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Disease Activity Index

SLEDAI

Systemic Lupus International
Collaborating Clinics

SLICC

synovial membrane

SM

small nuclear RNP

snRNP

spondylarthropathy

SpA

single-photon-emission computed tomography

SPECT

soluble RNA

sRNA

Sjšgren's syndrome

SS

SSA antigen

SSA

SSB antigen

SSB

systemic sclerosis

SSc

single-stranded DNA

ssDNA

sulfasalazine

SSZ

simian vacuolating virus 40

SV40

temporal arteritis

TA

total body bone mineral density

TBBMD

transforming growth factor β

TGFβ

thin-layer chromatography

TLC

total lymphoid irradiation

TLI

temporomandibular joint

TMJ

tumor necrosis factor

TNF

topoisomerase I

topo I

tissue plasminogen activator

tPA

transfer RNA

tRNA

type II collagen-induced arthitis

type II CIA

undifferentiated connective tissue disease

UCTD

urokinase plasminogen activator

uPA

undifferentiated spondylarthropathy

uSpA

ultrasound transmission velocity

UTV

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (test)

VDRL

Wegener's granulomatosis

WG

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Osteoarthritis Index

WOMAC

left-handed DNA

Z-DNA


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