Glossary of rheumatology

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases, which affect the joints, muscles, and ligaments. This glossary provides definitions for terms commonly used in the field of rheumatology, aiding in the understanding of various conditions, treatments, and diagnostic techniques associated with rheumatic diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Dactylitis

Psoriatic arthritis ankle

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Giant cell arteritis

W-Sit Hypermobility

Gout

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Osteoporosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

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Histopathology of systemic lupus erythematosus

Morphea

Osteonecrosis femur

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Raynaud's Phenomenon

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Vasculitis

Rheumatic fever

CREST syndrome (calcinosis and sclerodactyly)

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Systemic sclerosis, fingers

• Ankylosing spondylitis - A form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the back and hips. It can also affect other joints and organs.
• Antiphospholipid syndrome - An autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the blood, leading to an increased risk of blood clots.
• Arthralgia - The medical term for joint pain, which can be a symptom of various rheumatic diseases, including arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Arthritis mutilans - A severe form of psoriatic arthritis that destroys the joints of the hands and feet, leading to significant deformity and disability.
• Arthritis - A general term for conditions causing inflammation in one or more joints, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Types include

1. rheumatoid arthritis,
2. osteoarthritis, and
3. psoriatic arthritis.

• BASDAI - The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, a tool used to measure the severity of symptoms in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
• Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome - A life-threatening form of antiphospholipid syndrome characterized by widespread clotting, leading to multiorgan failure.
• Cerebral vasculitis - Inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which can cause headaches, seizures, and other neurological symptoms.
• Childhood arthritis - Also known as
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis, it refers to a group of arthritic conditions that affect children and teenagers.
• Chondritis - Inflammation of cartilage, which can cause pain and swelling in affected areas, commonly seen in conditions like
  • relapsing polychondritis.
• Chondrolysis - The breakdown or loss of cartilage in a joint, often leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function.
• Crystallopathy - A term for diseases caused by the deposition of crystals in the joints and soft tissues, such as
  • gout (uric acid crystals) and
  • pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals).
• Dactylitis - Swelling of an entire digit (finger or toe), commonly known as "sausage digit," often seen in psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Enthesitis - Inflammation of the entheses, the sites where tendons or ligaments attach to bone, often associated with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Extractable nuclear antigen - A group of autoantibodies against certain proteins within the cell nucleus, used as markers in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.
• Familial Mediterranean fever - A genetic disorder characterized by recurrent fevers and painful inflammation of the abdomen, chest, and joints.
• Femoroacetabular impingement - A condition where extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint, causing them to rub together and potentially lead to damage.
• Fibroblast-like synoviocyte - Cells within the synovial membrane that play a key role in the inflammation and joint damage observed in rheumatoid arthritis.
• Fibromyalgia - A chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and memory and mood issues.
• Fibrosis - The thickening and scarring of connective tissue, usually as a result of injury or inflammation, common in various rheumatic diseases.
• Functional somatic syndrome - A term for disorders that involve persistent bodily symptoms for which no clear organic cause can be identified, including fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
• GALS screen - A rapid screening tool for assessing Gait, Arms, Legs, and Spine in patients, used to detect musculoskeletal abnormalities.
• Genu recurvatum - A deformity in the knee joint where the knee hyperextends or bends backward, which can be a symptom of an underlying rheumatic condition.
• Geriatric rheumatology - A subfield of rheumatology that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of rheumatic diseases in the elderly population.
• Giant cell arteritis - A type of vasculitis that affects the arteries of the scalp, neck, and arms, leading to symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, vision problems, and scalp tenderness.
• Golfer's vasculitis - A benign form of vasculitis characterized by a red or purple rash on the lower legs, typically occurring after prolonged standing or walking in warm conditions.
• Gout - A common form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints, leading to sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness.
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis - A rare autoimmune disease causing inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) in the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys, potentially leading to organ damage.
• Handigodu syndrome - A rare familial skeletal disorder seen in specific regions of India, characterized by joint pain, deformities, and growth abnormalities.
• Henoch–Schönlein purpura - A form of vasculitis affecting the small blood vessels, leading to the characteristic purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis, and kidney involvement, primarily in children.
• Hyper-IgD syndrome - An autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, rash, abdominal pain, and elevated levels of immunoglobulin D.
• Hypermobility (joints) - A condition where joints easily move beyond their normal range of motion, often painlessly and without control, which can be a feature of certain genetic disorders like Ehlers–Danlos syndrome.
• Jaccoud arthropathy - A non-erosive deforming arthropathy often associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by reversible joint deformities.
• Joint injection - A procedure used in rheumatology for both diagnostic purposes and treatment, involving the direct delivery of medication into a joint space.
• Josef Smolen - A notable rheumatologist recognized for his contributions to the understanding and treatment of rheumatic diseases, particularly in the development of new therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - A term that encompasses all forms of arthritis that begin before the age of 16, involving inflammation of one or more joints for at least six weeks with no known cause.
• Knee arthritis - Inflammation of the knee joint, which can be caused by various types of arthritis, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.
• Knee pain - A common complaint that can arise from a wide range of issues, from acute injuries to complications of medical conditions such as arthritis.
• Larrey's sign - A clinical sign indicating diaphragmatic irritation, not directly related to rheumatology but may appear in differential diagnoses involving systemic conditions with rheumatic symptoms.
• Leri pleonosteosis - A rare genetic disorder characterized by skeletal anomalies, including short stature, limited joint mobility, and distinctive facial features.
• Livedo reticularis - A condition characterized by a mottled purplish discoloration of the skin in a lace-like pattern, often associated with vascular or rheumatic diseases.
• Lupus headache - Severe and persistent headaches associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications.
• Lupus nephritis - An inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus, leading to varying degrees of kidney dysfunction and potentially end-stage renal disease.
• Macrophage activation syndrome - A severe, potentially life-threatening complication of rheumatic diseases, characterized by excessive activation of macrophages and T cells, leading to cytokine storm and multiorgan dysfunction.
• Marshall syndrome - A genetic disorder characterized by facial anomalies, short stature, and hearing loss, often requiring multidisciplinary management, including rheumatologic aspects due to joint symptoms.
• Milwaukee shoulder syndrome - A rare degenerative condition of the shoulder joint characterized by rapid destruction of the joint tissues, associated with calcium crystal deposition.
• Morphea - A localized form of scleroderma resulting in patches of hardened, discolored skin and underlying tissues, potentially leading to functional impairment.
• Muckle–Wells syndrome - A rare genetic disorder part of the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), characterized by episodes of fever, rash, joint pain, and progressive hearing loss.
• Myofascial pain syndrome - A chronic pain disorder characterized by pain and tenderness in certain points within the muscles and fascia, often related to repetitive injuries or stress.
• Neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease - A rare autoinflammatory condition presenting from birth with fever, rash, joint pain, and involvement of the central nervous system, among other symptoms.
• Neuropathic arthropathy - A progressive joint disease occurring in the presence of a sensory neuropathy, leading to joint destruction and deformity due to the lack of normal protective pain reflexes, commonly associated with diabetes and syphilis.
• Osteopenia - A condition characterized by lower than normal bone density, indicating a risk for osteoporosis but not severe enough to be classified as such.
• Osteoporosis - A disease where decreased bone strength increases the risk of a broken bone, commonly affecting the elderly and postmenopausal women due to reduced bone density and quality.
• Overlap syndrome - A clinical entity where a patient presents with features of more than one connective tissue disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
• Palindromic rheumatism - A rare form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent episodes of joint pain and swelling that can spontaneously resolve without causing permanent damage.
• Periosteal reaction - A radiologic finding indicating new bone formation in response to injury or disease, often seen in conditions affecting the periosteum of bones.
• Plica syndrome - A condition resulting from inflammation of the synovial plicae, which can mimic symptoms of meniscal tears, causing knee pain and limited movement.
• Polyarteritis nodosa - A form of vasculitis involving medium-sized arteries, leading to organ damage and various systemic symptoms depending on the arteries affected.
• Poor man's gout - A colloquial term historically used for conditions resembling gout, such as pseudogout or osteoarthritis, that affect individuals who may not fit the typical profile for gout patients.
• Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis - A condition characterized by the rapid deterioration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint following arthroscopic surgery, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of function.
• Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQoL) - A questionnaire designed to measure the quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis, assessing the impact of the disease on physical and emotional well-being.
• Psoriatic arthritis - An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, characterized by joint pain and swelling, stiffness, and in some cases, skin and nail changes reflective of psoriasis.
• Raynaud syndrome - A condition characterized by a temporary reduction of blood flow to extremities, such as fingers and toes, leading to color changes, numbness, and pain upon exposure to cold or stress.
• Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) - A rare syndrome presenting with sudden onset of pitting edema and polyarthritis, primarily affecting the elderly and often responding well to corticosteroids.
• Retinal vasculitis - Inflammation of the retinal vessels, which can lead to vision problems, and is often associated with systemic vasculitic and autoimmune diseases.
• Reynolds syndrome - A rare disorder characterized by the combination of primary biliary cirrhosis and systemic sclerosis, presenting with a variety of symptoms including those related to liver and connective tissue diseases.
• Rheumatic fever - An inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever, causing fever, joint pain, and heart disease.
• Rheumatism - An older term encompassing various rheumatic conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and connective tissues, leading to pain and disability.
• Rheumatoid arthritis - A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the joints, including those in the hands and feet, characterized by painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
• Rheumatoid disease of the spine - Involvement of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to instability, pain, and neurological symptoms due to spinal cord compression.
• Rheumatoid factor - An antibody found in the blood of many (but not all) patients with rheumatoid arthritis, used as a diagnostic marker for the disease.
• Rheumatoid pleuritis - Inflammation of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs) associated with rheumatoid arthritis, leading to chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• Rheumatology - The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues.
• SAPHO syndrome - A condition involving any combination of Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis, characterized by bone and skin manifestations.
• Schober's test - A physical examination technique used to measure the ability of a patient to flex the lower back, useful in diagnosing conditions like ankylosing spondylitis.
• Scleromyositis - An overlap syndrome featuring characteristics of both scleroderma and polymyositis, involving widespread skin thickening and muscle inflammation, leading to skin tightening and muscle weakness.
• Statin-associated autoimmune myopathy - A rare side effect of statin medications, characterized by muscle weakness and elevated levels of muscle enzymes, indicative of an autoimmune reaction against muscle tissue.
• Stickler syndrome - A genetic disorder affecting the connective tissue, leading to distinctive facial features, eye problems, hearing loss, and joint issues, including hypermobility and arthritis.
• Systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis - A subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis characterized by systemic symptoms such as fever and rash, in addition to joint inflammation.
• TNF receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) - An autoinflammatory condition caused by mutations in the TNF receptor, leading to recurrent episodes of fever, rash, and joint pain.
• The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire - A tool designed to assess the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the quality of life of patients, focusing on physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Tophus - A deposit of urate crystals, often found in soft tissues or joints in individuals with long-standing hyperuricemia and gout, leading to painful swellings.
• Vasculitis - A group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, leading to a range of symptoms depending on the organs affected, including skin rashes, kidney problems, and neuropathies.
• Wissler's syndrome - An outdated term occasionally used to describe a form of systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, now recognized as a distinct entity within the juvenile idiopathic arthritis spectrum.

Also see

• Rheumatology

Rheumatology terms

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