Abbreviations

[Guest guest]

I've noticed some confusion in the use of abbreviations for various

disorders often discussed on this list. Here's a brief listing of some of

the more common ones:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: RA Do not confuse with the following.

Reiters Syndrome: RS

Reactive Arthritis: ReA

Remember the above two are the same. Old and new names for the same thing,

with some exceptions to that rule when reading medical journals.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: AS

Psoriatic Arthritis: PA

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: IBD

Abbreviations only work when we all recognize the same standard usage,

otherwise posts are confusing.

Some members are using email abbreviations that others do not understand.

(Ex: " tk u " for " thank you " ) I'd suggest using standard English and the

usual grammar standards we learned in high school or college English

classes. I'd also suggest spelling out all words except in the case of the

above medical abbreviations for frequently referred to disorders to make

your posts understandable and readable.

Thank you.

Ray Neal, moderator