ACR: the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is the professional organization of rheumatologists and associated health professionals who are dedicated to treating arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

AF: the Arthritis Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization that supports arthritis and related conditions with advocacy, programs, services and research.

analgesics: medications that target pain.

anemia: a deficiency of red blood cells.

assistive device: a tool for disabled persons that helps make everyday tasks easier to perform.

autoimmune disease: any disease in which the body’s immune system, which normally protects the body, attacks its own tissues or cells.

bacteria: single-celled microorganisms, some of which can cause diseases in humans.

biologic DMARDs (dee’ mards): medicines classified as Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs that are among the most recent RA treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also known as “biologics.”

cartilage: slippery tissue at the end of bones that acts as a cushion.

chronic: lasting a long time or recurring indefinitely.

corticosteroids: medications that are used to relieve pain and inflammation. They are sometimes prescribed in high doses for quick relief of inflammation and at other times corticosteroids are used in low doses to prevent flares and protect joints.

COX-2 inhibitors: a type of NSAID that may be safer for the stomach then traditional NSAIDS.

cytokines (site’ o kynes): any of several proteins that are released by cells in the immune system to signal an immune response. Examples include tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1.

DMARDs (dee’ mards): an abbreviation for medicines classified as Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, which can reduce pain and inflammation and can also slow the progression of joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis.

gene: a specific sequence of matter in DNA or RNA that helps determine traits that children inherit from their parents.

genetics: a branch of science that deals with the origin or inheritance of biologic traits.

immune system: a complex system within the body that helps the body fight foreign substances.

inflammation: a localized protective response triggered by tissue injury.

interleukin (inter lu’ ken): a cytokine that plays a role in the immune response.

NSAIDs (en’ seds): a type of medication that is used in RA and some other conditions to relieve pain and to reduce inflammation.

osteoarthritis: a type of arthritis known as the “wear and tear” type of arthritis. It is associated with factors such as aging, injury or obesity.

rheumatism (room’ uh tiz’ em): any of a variety of disorders marked by inflammation or pain in the muscles, joints or fibrous tissues.

rheumatoid arthritis (room’ uh toid): a chronic autoimmune disease that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling primarily in the joints.

rheumatoid factor (room’ uh toid): a substance (antibody) often detectable in the blood of people with RA.

rheumatologist (room uh tahl’ uh jist): a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving the joints, muscles, or related tissues.

“sed” rate: short for “erythrocyte sedimentation rate,” an indicator of inflammatory process in the body and also an indicator of the amount of inflammation in the body.

synovium: a membrane that lines joints and secretes synovial fluid.

systemic: affecting the entire body or an entire system within the body.

tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α): a cytokine that plays a role in the inflammatory response.

virus: a type of microorganism responsible which can cause disease or illness.

white blood cell: blood cells that are responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease.