Inflammatory Arthritis Terminology
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Common terms you might hear or see when learning about inflammatory arthritis.
A
(pronounced uh-nee-mee-uh)
Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells is lower than normal, or the haemoglobin (pronounced hee-muh-glow-bn) in them is lower than normal – resulting in a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen to cells. It can be caused by iron deficiency and causes symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and dizziness.
(pronounced ang-kee-loh-sis)
Ankylosis is immobility or stiffness in a joint. In axSpA, parts of the spine can join up (fuse), resulting in a loss of flexibility and reduced movement.
(pronounced ang-kee-low-zuhng spon-duh-lai-tuhs)
Ankylosing spondylitis is another name for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, where damage is visible on x-ray.
A type of protein cells that attack viruses and bacteria, helping to fight infection.
A type of antibody that is highly specific to rheumatoid arthritis.
IL stands for interleukin (pronounced in-tr-loo-kn). These are proteins that play a significant role in the inflammation associated with inflammatory arthritis. Anti-IL treatments, or IL inhibitors, work by neutralising the activity of certain interleukins to reduce inflammation in the joints.
TNF stands for tumour necrosis factor. Anti-TNF treatments, or TNF inhibitors, are used to treat rheumatic conditions such as inflammatory arthritis. They block the overproduction of TNF and prevent inflammation.
(pronounced aa-thrai-tuhs)
Arthritis is a condition where there is inflammation in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, including inflammatory arthritis which is caused by a faulty immune response.
Antibodies produced by the immune systems that attack the body’s own cells.
A type of disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
When the immune system attacks the body.
(pronounced ak-see-uhl saw-ree-a-tuhk aa-thrai-tuh) Axial psoriatic arthritis refers to psoriatic arthritis with axial involvement - when the joints of the spine are affected.
(pronounced ak-see-uhl spon-duh-low-aa-thrai-tuhs)
Axial spondyloarthritis is an umbrella term for non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA), also known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS, pronounced ang-kee-low-zuhng spon-duh-lai-tuhs).
B
B-cells are a type of cell that can become overactive in autoimmune conditions.
B-cell therapy, or B-cell inhibitors, works by lowering the activity of B-cells to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling.
A relatively new class of medicines used to treat many conditions, including types of inflammatory arthritis. Biologic treatments are different from traditional drugs, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, because they’re made from living organisms.
(pronounced bai-op-see)
A biopsy is a procedure that takes a small tissue sample to examine it under a microscope. In very rare cases, a biopsy may be used in diagnosing psoriasis.
C
(pronounced kaa-tuh-luhj)
Cartilage is the stretchy connective tissue between bones.
(pronounced kow-maw-bi-duh-tee)
A comorbidity is when a person has more than one illness or disease at a time.
(pronounced kaw-tee-kow-steeuh-roydz)
Corticosteroids are synthetic medicines designed to act like the natural steroids we make in our bodies to reduce inflammation.
CRP is an inflammatory marker that can indicate inflammation in the body.
CT stands for computed tomography. It is a type of body scan that can help healthcare professionals visualise what’s going on inside the body.
D
(pronounced dak-ti-lie-tuhs)
Dactylitis is swelling of the fingers and toes, sometimes called sausage digit.
DMARD (pronounced dee-mard) stands for disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and refers to a type of medication used to treat rheumatic conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.
The reversible manifestations of a disease.
E
(pronounced ek-suh-muh)
Also called dermatitis, eczema is a skin condition characterised by dry, itchy, and cracked skin. It’s not related to [EXTERNAL LINK to https://content-template-site.ucb.com/preview/patients/psoriasis/en/content/937814711/what-is-psoriasis], but the two conditions can have similar symptoms.
ESR is an inflammatory marker that can indicate inflammation in the body.
(pronounced en-thi-sigh-tuhs)
Enthesitis is a painful inflammation where bones attach to ligaments or tendons. The most common spots for enthesitis to occur are the feet – either the back of the heel or the bottom of the foot near the heel – and the knees, hips, elbows and chest.
Elements in a person’s environment, such as pollution or second-hand smoke, which can increase their chance of developing a disease.
F
(pronounced fuh-teeg)
Fatigue is an overwhelming sense of tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep.
A high body temperature compared to normal temperature.
A period where symptoms get worse.
A synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B6. Folic acid plays an important role in the development of a foetus and can help minimise the side effects of methotrexate.
A group of blood tests that can help rule other possible causes of your symptoms, including iron deficiency (anaemia).
When the bones in the spine join up (fuse together), causing severely restricted movement.
H
(pronounced hep-uh-tie-tuhs bee)
Hepatitis B is a type of liver infection spread through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluid.
(pronounced haw-mohnz)
Hormones are substances made by the body that help send signals to cells and tissues.
Human leukocyte (pronounced loo-koh-site) antigen B27, or HLA-B27, is a type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene that’s linked to the development of axSpA.
I
IL stands for interleukin (pronounced in-tuh-loo-kin), a type of protein that plays a significant role in the inflammation associated with inflammatory arthritis.
Anti-IL treatments, or IL inhibitors, work by neutralising the activity of certain interleukins to reduce inflammation in the joints.
Certain types of tests, such as x-rays and MRI scans, which help healthcare professionals see what’s going on inside the body.
A group of autoimmune diseases affected the digestive system and the bowels, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), which have been linked to inflammatory arthritis.
A way of getting fluids, such as certain medicines, into the bloodstream, usually intravenously (into a vein).
J
JAK stands for Janus kinase. JAK inhibitors are a type of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that target the body’s immune response.
L
(pronounced lig-uh-muhntz)
Ligaments are tissues that connect bone and cartilage.
(pronounced loo-puhs)
Lupus is a type of autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
M
(pronounced meh-though-trex-ate)
Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant drug that is used to treat inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.
The practice of becoming aware of what is going on inside and outside of the body and mind, often used as a relaxation technique or a form of meditation.
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a type of body scan that can help healthcare professionals visualise what’s going on inside the body.
N
Non-biologic treatments are a type of drug made up of small molecules that are manufactured in a lab. They differ from biologic treatments, which come from organic sources.
NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs, which can be taken alongside other medications, are used to relieve joint inflammation and pain.
O
(pronounced eh-struh-juhn)
Oestrogen is a type of hormone that mainly influences the female reproductive system.
(pronounced ost-ee-oh aa-thrai-tuhs)
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis where the cartilage that protects the ends of bones breaks down, causing pain and swelling.
P
A type of physical therapy that can help restore mobility and function and that can include tailored exercise and manual therapy. Physiotherapists commonly work with people affected by an injury or a disease, including inflammatory arthritis.
The viscosity (thickness) of the blood, which can be affected by inflammation.
(pronounced prog-noh-sis)
A prognosis is the likely outcome or course of a disease, including the chance of recovery or recurrence.
A disease that gets worse with time, such as inflammatory arthritis.
A serious brain infection that can occur as a very rare side effect of B-cell therapy.
(pronounced suh-rai-uh-suhs)
Psoriasis [EXTERNAL LINK to https://content-template-site.ucb.com/preview/patients/psoriasis/en/content/937814711/what-is-psoriasis] is a skin condition that causes red or brown scaly patches of skin. It most often affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, but it can appear anywhere on your body. About 30% of people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis.
(pronounced saw-ree-a-tuhk aa-thrai-tuhs)
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that usually affects the joints, causing swelling (called inflammation), stiffness and pain.
R
(pronounced ray-dee-aa-gruh-fee)
Radiography is a type of medical imaging using techniques such as x-ray that allows healthcare professionals to see what’s going on inside the body. Radiographic means relating to radiography – in the case of radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), also called ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it means that damage to the body is visible on radiographic imaging such as x-rays.
Periods where symptoms improve or disappear.
(pronounced roo-muh-toyd aa-thrai-tuhs)
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in healthy tissues, typically around the joints,.
(pronounced roo-muh-toyd fak-tr) Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a type of antibody protein found in the blood that can indicate an autoimmune response (where the immune system attacks the body).
(pronounced roo-muh-toyd nod-yools)
Fleshy lumps that develop underneath the skin.
(pronounced roo-muh-tol-uh-jist)
A specialist in joint and muscle conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
A risk factor is something that increases the chances of developing a condition, such as smoking, age or stress.
S
The joints that link the lower spine and the pelvis.
White or grey patches of skin caused by [EXTERNAL LINK https://content-template-site.ucb.com/preview/patients/psoriasis/en/content/1093741688/symptoms-and-diagnosis].
(pronounced scluh-rye-tuhs)
Scleritis is inflammation in the whites of the eyes.
A positive test result for rheumatoid factor which may indicate that you have rheumatoid arthritis, or may develop it in the future.
A negative test result for rheumatoid factor, which can be an indication of the likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
(pronounced sub-uhn-goo-uhl high-puhr kerr-uh-toh-suhs)
Subungual hyperkeratosis is a chalky build-up under the nail that’s a common symptom of psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis that affects both sides of the body in a similar way.
(pronounced sy-noh-vee-uhl)
The synovial membrane is the name for the lining of the joints, which is frequently a site of inflammation in inflammatory arthritis.
T
A group of cells in the immune system that can become overactive in certain conditions and cause inflammation that damages the body’s healthy tissues, leading to swelling and joint damage.
T-cell therapy, or T-cell inhibitors, target overactive immune cells, which in turn helps to reduce inflammation.
(pronounced ten-duhns)
Tendons are tissues that connect bones to muscle.
TNF stands for tumour necrosis factor, a type of protein in the body that can become overactive in conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, causing inflammation and potential damage to bones, cartilage and tissues.
TNF inhibitors, or anti-TNF treatments, are used to treat rheumatic conditions such as inflammatory arthritis. They block the overproduction of TNF and prevent inflammation.
U
(pronounced uhl-tra-sound)
An ultrasound scan is a type of medical scan that uses high-frequency sound waves to enable a healthcare professional to see what’s going on inside the body.
(pronounced you-vee-eye-tuhs)
Uveitis is inflammation to the middle layer of the eye. Signs of uveitis include painful, watery, or red eyes, blurred vision and sensitivity to bright light.
V
(pronounced vur-ti-bray)
The vertebrae are a series of 33 bones that make up the spine.
X
A type of medical scan using radiation that enables a healthcare professional to see what’s going on inside the body.
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