Nomenclature, Semantics, Jargon, Lingo, Eponyms, Etymology, and Terminology in Rheumatology

There are rheumatic diseases galore which are named after those who described them eponyms: Just a short list is enough to baffle budding rheumatologists. Regarding acronyms, we have an organization called OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) which elaborates outcome measures. Over the years, we have moved from activities of daily living (ADL) scores, to health assessment questionnaires (HAQ), to disease arthritis scores (DAS28). We now have SLEDAI, BASRI …. complicating our daily routine.

On Reflection

Innovations in medicine, even at breakneck speed, are needed and welcomed. Translational research is certain to impact medical practice. Change is inevitable, but when it gets torrential, the humble clinician and his almighty demanding patient may get perplexed when adapting so quickly. I am reminded here of Alvin Toffler’s bestseller, Future Shock.⁹ The exponential pace of change leaves the citizen to lag behind as he strives to adapt to the impact of rapid innovations (a recent example: newer devices to subserve the information technology onslaught). What’s the answer? In all such scientific endeavours in biomedicine, with its enormous complexity, elemental simplicity of expression is not to be missed.

Between simplicity and complexity, which should be the numerator and the denominator? Isn’t it time to think, sit up, stand up, and speak up? Let’s begin with just “lupus.” Will the scientists and scholars, high priests and pundits of rheumatology, listen to this humble prayer for a little simplicity in our precious literature? the rheumatologist

Dr. Pispati is senior consultant rheumatologist at Jaslok (where he is head of the rheumatology department) and Saifee Hospitals in Mumbai, India. He is past president of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) and the Indian Rheumatology Association.

References

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