Read The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families, Third Edition Online
Authors: Daniel J. Wallace
FANA
Another term for ANA.
Fibrositis, or fibromyalgia
A pain amplification syndrome characterized by
fatigue, a sleep disorder, and tender points in the soft tissues; can be
caused by steroids and mistaken for lupus, although 20 percent of those
with lupus have fibrositis.
Flare
Symptoms reappear; another word for exacerbation.
Gene
Consisting of DNA, it is the basic unit of inherited information in our
cells.
Glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the glomerulus of the kidney; seen in
one-third of patients with lupus.
Hematocrit
A measurement of red blood cell levels. Low levels produce ane-
mia.
Hemoglobin
Oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells. Low levels produce
anemia.
Hemolytic anemia
Anemia caused by premature destruction of red blood cells
due to antibodies to the red blood cell surface. Also called
autoimmune
hemolytic anemia
.
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver.
HLA, or histocompatibility antigen
Molecules inside the macrophage that
binds to an antigenic peptide. Controlled by genes on the sixth chromo-
some. They can amplify or perpetuate certain immune and inflammatory
responses.
Hormones
Chemical messengers—including thyroid, steroids, insulin, estro-
gen, progesterone, and testosterone—made by the body.
Immune complex
An antibody and antigen together.
Immunofluorescence
A means of detecting immune processes with a fluores-
cent stain and a special microscope.
Immunoglobulus
Protein fraction of serum responsible for antibody activity.
Immunity
The body’s defense against foreign substances.
Immunosuppressive
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.
Kidney biopsy
Removal of a bit of kidney tissue for microscopic analysis.
La antibody
Also called anti-SSB, a Sjo¨gren’s antibody.
LE cell
Specific cell found in blood specimens of most lupus patients.
Ligament
A tether attaching bone to bone, giving them stability.
Lupus anticoagulant
A means of detecting antiphospholipid antibodies from
prolonged clotting times.
Lupus vulgaris
Tuberculosis of the skin; not related to systemic or discoid
lupus.
Lymph
Fluid collected from tissues and flows through lymph nodes.
Glossary
[271]
Lymphocyte
Type of white blood cell that fights infection and mediates the
immune response.
Macrophage
A cell that kills foreign material and presents information to
lymphocytes.
MHC
Major histocompatibility complex; in humans, it is the same as HLA.
Mixed connective tissue disease
Exists when a patient who carries the anti-
RNP antibody has features of more than one autoimmune disease.
Natural killer cell
A white blood cell that kills other cells.
Nephritis
Inflammation of the kidney.
Neutrophil
A granulated white blood cell involved in bacterial killing and
acute inflammation.
NSAID
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or agent that fights inflammation
by blocking the actions of prostaglandin. Examples include aspirin, ibu-
profen, and naproxen.
Nucleus
The center of a cell that contains DNA.
Orthopedic surgeon
A doctor who operates on musculoskeletal structures.
Pathogenic
Causing disease, or abnormal reactions.
Pathology
Abnormal cellular or anatomic features.
Pericardial effusion
Fluid around the sac of the heart.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium.
Pericardium
A sac lining the heart.
Petechiae
Small red spots under the skin.
Photosensitivity
Sensitivity to ultraviolet light.
Plasma
The fluid portion of blood.
Plasmapheresis
Filtration of blood plasma through a machine to remove pro-
teins that may aggravate lupus.
Platelet
A component of blood responsible for clotting.
Pleura
A sac lining the lung.
Pleural effusion
Fluid in the sac lining the lung.
Pleuritis
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 ach-
ing in their shoulders, upper arms, hips, and upper legs.
Polymyositis
An autoimmune disease that targets muscles.
Prednisone; prednisolone
Synthetic steroids.
Protein
A collection of amino acids. Antibodies are proteins.
Proteinuria
Excess protein levels in the urine (also called albuminuria).
Pulse steroids
Very high doses of corticosteroids given intravenously over 1
to 3 days to critically ill patients.
Purpura
Hemorrhage into the skin.
[272]
Glossary
Raynaud’s disease
Isolated Raynaud’s phenomenon; not part of any other
disease.
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Discoloration of the hands or feet (they turn blue,
white, or red) especially with cold temperatures; a feature of an autoim-
mune disease.
RBC
Red blood cell count.
Remission
Quiet period free from symptoms, but not necessarily representing
a cure.
Rheumatic disease
Any of 150 disorders affecting the immune or musculo-
skeletal 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.
Rheumatoid factor
Autoantibodies that react with IgG; seen in most patients
with rheumatoid arthritis and 25 percent of those with SLE.
Rheumatologist
An internal medicine specialist who has completed at least a
2-year fellowship studying rheumatic diseases (see above).
Ro antibody
See anti-SSA.
Salicylates
Aspirin like drugs.
Scleroderma
An autoimmune disease featuring rheumatoid-type inflamma-
tion, tight skin, and vascular problems (e.g., Raynaud’s).
Sedimentation rate
Test that measures the precipitation of red cells in a col-
umn of blood; high rates usually indicate increased disease activity.
Serum
Clear liquid portion of the blood after removal of clotting factors.
Sjo¨gren’s syndrome
Dry eyes, dry mouth, and arthritis observed with most
autoimmune disorders or by itself (primary Sjo¨gren’s).
Steroids
Usually a shortened term for corticosteroids, which are anti-inflam-
matory hormones produced by the adrenal cortex or synthetically.
STS
False-positive serologic test for syphilis.
Symptoms
Changes patients feel.
Synovial fluid
Joint fluid.
Synovitis
Inflammation of the tissues lining a joint.
Synovium
Tissue that lines the joint.
Systemic
Pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole.
T cell
A lymphocyte responsible for immunologic memory.
Tendon
Structures that attach muscle to bone.
Temporal arteritis
Inflammation of the temporal artery (located in the scalp)
associated with high sedimentation rates, systemic symptoms, and some-
times loss of vision.
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelet counts.
Thymus
A gland in the neck area responsible for immunologic maturity.
Titer
Amount of a substance, such as ANA.
Glossary
[273]
Tolerance
The failure to make antibodies to an antigen.
UCTD
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Features of autoimmunity
in a patient who does meet established criteria for lupus, rheumatoid ar-
thritis, scleroderma, or inflammatory myositis.
Urinalysis
Analysis of urine.
Urine, 24-hour collection
The collection of all urine passed in a 24-hour
period; it is examined for protein and creatinine to determine how well
the kidneys are functioning.
Urticaria
Hives.
UV light
Ultraviolet light. Its spectrum includes UVA (320 to 400 nanome-
ters), UVB (290 to 320 nm), and UVC (200 to 290 nm) wavelengths.
Uremia
Marked kidney insufficiency frequently necessitating dialysis.
Vasculitis
Inflammation of the blood vessels.
WBC
White blood cell count.
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WHAT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE PATIENT SUPPORT IN
THE UNITED STATES?
(Many such organizations exist; only those with a budget of over $1
million are listed.)
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. (LFA),
2000 L. St. NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036, 202-349-1155 or 800-558-0121, Spanish line, 800-558-
0231. With 50 chapters and 220 support groups in 32 states, the LFA is the
nation’s leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding
the cause and cure for lupus. Our mission is to improve the diagnosis and
treatment of lupus; support individuals and families affected by the disease;
increase awareness of lupus among health professionals; and find the cause
and cure. The LFA publishes patient education brochures, fact sheets, articles, and a national magazine,
Lupus Now
᭨. E-mail: [email protected] for
health education information; [email protected] for general information. Web-
sites:
www.lupus.org
and
www.lupusnow.org.
Arthritis Foundation,
P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357, 800-283-7800.
There are 56 U.S. chapters which provide research monies, publish literature,
and offer patient support for arthritis and related conditions such as lupus.
Website:
www.arthritis.org
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA),
22100 Gra-
tiot Ave., E. Detroit, MI 48021, 586-776-3900 (national office); 750 17th
Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006, 202-466-8511. Website:
SLE Foundation,
149 Madison Avenue, Suite 205, New York, NY 10016, 212-
685-4118. E-mail: [email protected]; Website:
www.lupusny.org
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, WHERE ELSE CAN
RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT LUPUS BE OBTAINED?
American College of Rheumatology (ACR),
1800 Century Place, Suite 250,
Atlanta, GA 30345, 404-633-3777. This is the professional organization to
which nearly all U.S. and many international rheumatologists belong. Web-
site:
www.rheumatology.org
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Lupus Resource Materials
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
(NIAMS),
Bldg. 31, Room 4C02, 31 Center Dr.-MSC 2350, Bethesda, MD
20892. Part of the National Institutes of Health, NIAMS funds $90 million
dollars in lupus research each year at the Bethesda campus and elsewhere in
the country. The institute also sponsors conferences and publishes patient
education pamphlets and booklets, including specific materials on lupus.
The NIAMS Information Clearinghouse
offers a wide variety of information on rheumatic diseases, including lupus (also information in Spanish). AMS
Information Clearinghouse, 1 AMS Circle, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-495-
4484; TTY: 301-565-2966; Fax: 301-718-6366; Email: [email protected]
.gov; Website
www.nih.gov/niams/healthinfo/
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, WHAT OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS FUND LUPUS RESEARCH ?
(Many such organizations exist; this list is restricted to those that give
more than $1 million a year to lupus-related research at more than one
institution.)
Alliance for Lupus Research,
28 West 44th Street, Suite 1217, New York, NY
10036, 212-218-2840, was founded in 1999 with the mission to prevent, treat
and cure lupus through medical research. E-mail: [email protected].