% abv percentage alcohol by volume
ac ante cibum (before food)
AIIRA angiotensin-II receptor antagonist
AAFB acid-alcohol fast bacilli
AAS atomic absorbance spectrophotometry
Ab antibody
ABC abacavir
ABG arterial blood gasses
ABPI ankle brachial pressure index
ABR auditory brainstem response
ACBS Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances
ACDP Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
aCL anticardiolipin
ACR albumin:creatinine ratio
ACT artemisinin-based combination therapy
ACTH adrenocorticotrophic hormone
ADH antidiuretic hormone
AECG ambulatory electrocardiography
AED automated external defibrillators
AF atrial fibrillation
AFE amniotic fluid embolism
AFP alpha-fetoprotein
AGXT alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIO Ambulance Incident Officer
AJ ankle jerk
ALF acute liver failure
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMAs anti-mitochondrial antibodies
AMH anti-Müllerian hormone
AMHP Approved Mental Health Professional
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANCA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
Anti-GBM antiglomerular basement membrane antibody
anti-RNP antibodies to ribonucleoprotein
anti-U1-RNP anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein
a-NVH asymptomatic non-visible haematuria
AP anteroposterior
aPL antiphospholipid
aPPT activated partial thromboplastin time
APT adaptive pacing therapy
APUD amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation
AR ankle reflex
ARB angiotensin receptor blocker
ARC AIDS-related complex
ARDS acute/adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARR absolute risk reduction
ART assisted reproduction technique
ARVC arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
ASD autistic spectrum disorder
ASW approved social worker
ASTRAL Angioplasty and Stent for Renal Artery Lesions
ATC around the clock
ATRA all-trans retinoic acid
AVJRT atrioventricular junctional re-entry tachycardia
AVNRT atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia
AVNT atrioventricular nodal tachycardia
AZOOR acute zonal occult outer retinopathy
BAER brainstem auditory evoked response
BAL bronchoalveolar lavage
BALT bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue
BAN British Approved Name
BCBV Better Care Better Value
BCG Bacille Calmette-Guérin
BCh Bachelor of Surgery
bd bis di twice daily
BDD body dysmorphic disorder
BHR bronchial hyperresponsiveness
BiPAP bilevel positive airway pressure
BJ biceps jerk
BM Bachelor of Medicine
BMA British Medical Association
BMD bone mineral density
BMJ British Medical Journal
BMedSci Bachelor of Medical Sciences
BMM behavioural migraine management
BMS bare metal stent
BMT bone marrow transplantation
BMZ basement membrane zone
BNF British National Formulary
BNP brain natriuretic peptide
BP blood pressure
BPharm Bachelor of Pharmacy
bpm beats per minute
BPP biophysical profile
BR biceps reflex
BRA bilateral renal agenesis
BRI building-related illness
BSAP bone-specific alkaline phosphatase
BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy
BS MB Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine
BSO bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
C1-INH C1-inhibitor antigenic protein
Ca carcinoma
CA carbohydrate antigen
CABG coronary artery bypass graft
CAD computer-aided detection
CA-MRSA community-acquired MRSA
cANCA classical antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAPS catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome
CaSR calcium-sensitive receptor
CAT cognitive analytic therapy
cc cum cibo (with food)
CCDC consultant in communicable disease control
CCF congestive cardiac failure
CCGR complete cytogenetic remission
CCP cyclic citrullinated peptide
CCPD continuous cycler-assisted peritoneal dialysis
CCU coronary care unit
CDCR conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy
CDI Children’s Depression Inventory
CDI cranial diabetes insipidus
CDT cardiotocograph
CEA carcinoembryonic antigen
CER control event rate
CES Center for Epidemiologic Studies
CES cauda equina syndrome
CES-D Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
CF complement fixation
CFC chlorofluorocarbon
CfI Centre for Infections
cfu colony-forming unit
CFS chronic fatigue syndrome
CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
CHAOS congenital high upper airway obstruction syndrome
CHART continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy
CHB complete heart block
CHC Community Health Council
CHD coronary heart disease
CHM Commission on Human Medicines
CHMP Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
CIRCI critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency
CIS carcinoma in situ
cm centimetre
CMACE Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries
CNS central nervous system
CNV choroidal neovascularisation
COAD chronic obstructive airways disease
COCP combined oral contraceptive pill
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COMT catechol-O-methyltransferase
COSHH Committee on Substances Hazardous to Health
COT Consultation Observation Tool
CPAP continuous positive airway pressure
CPD continuing professional development
CQC Care Quality Commission
CRP C-reactive protein
CRT cardiac resynchronisation therapy
CSDD Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia
CSE combined spinal-epidural
CSII continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
CSSD central sterile supply department
CSSRs councils with social services responsibilities
CT computed tomography
CTG cardiotocograph
CTPA computed tomography pulmonary angiogram
CTR cardiothoracic ratio
CTSI computed tomography severity index
CUP carcinoma of unknown primary
CVE/CVA cerebrovascular event/cerebrovascular accident
CVP central venous pressure
CVS chorionic villus biopsy
CXR chest X-ray
DA Diploma in Anaesthetics
DABA dual action bone agent
DAT direct antiglobulin test
db HL decibels hearing loss
DCD developmental co-ordination disorder
DCG dacryocystogram
DCh Doctor of Surgery
DCH Diploma in Child Health
DCIS ductal carcinoma in situ
DCP Diploma in Clinical Pathology
DCR dacryocystorhinostomy
dcSSC diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
DDH developmental dysplasia of the hip
DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
DEN Doctor’s Educational Need
DES drug-eluting stent
DEXA dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
DFA direct fluorescent antibody
DFHom Diploma of the Faculty of Homeopathy
DFM Diploma in Forensic Medicine
DFSA drug-facilitated sexual assault
dGEMRIC gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage
DGM Diploma in Geriatric Medicine
DGO Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics
DHEA dehydroepiandrosterone
DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIF direct immunofluorescence
DIP distal interphalangeal
Dip GU Med Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine
dL decilitre
DLBCL diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
DLCO diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide
DM diabetes mellitus
DMARD disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug
DMR Diploma in Medical Radiology
DMSA dimercaptosuccinic acid
DO Diploma in Ophthalmology
DObst Diploma in Obstetrics
DOT directly observed therapy
DPath Diploma in Pathology
DPF Dental Practitioners’ Formulary
DPH Diploma in Public Health
DPhil Doctor of Philosophy
DPhysMed Diploma in Physical Medicine
DPM Diploma in Psychological Medicine
DQ developmental quotient
DR Diploma in Radiology
DRCOG Diploma Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
DRCPath Diploma Royal College of Pathologists
DRESS Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
DREZ dorsal root entry zone
DS Doctor of Surgery
DSP digital signal processing
DTs delirium tremens
DTaP diphtheria (D), tetanus (T) and acellular pertussis (aP)
DTB Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
DXR digital X-ray radiogrammetry
e/c enteric-coated
EBL estimated blood loss
EBM evidence-based medicine
EBNA EBV nuclear antigen
EBUS TBNA endobronchial US-guided transbronchial needle aspiration
ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
ECV external cephalic version
EDAMS encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis
EDC estimated date of confinement
EDD expected date of delivery
EDS excessive daytime sleepiness
EER experimental event rate
EFWC electrolyte-free water clearance
eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate
EIA enzyme immunoassay
ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
EMA endomysial antibodies
EMDA electromotive drug administration
EMDAS encephalomyoduroarteriosynangiosis
EMG electromyography
ENG electronystagmography
eod every other day
EOG electro-oculogram
ePACT electronic Prescribing Analysis and Cost Tool
EPDS Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
ePFIP electronic Prescribing and Financial Information for Practices
EPO erythropoietin
EPSEs extra-pyramidal side-effects
ER (o)estrogen receptor
ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
ERG electroretinography
ERP exposure and relapse prevention
ERT enzyme replacement therapy
ESBL extended-spectrum beta-lactamase
ESES electrical status epilepticus in sleep
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESWL extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
EUA examination under anaesthesia
EUS endoscopic ultrasonography
EVAR endovascular aneurysm/aortic repair
f/c film-coated
FAP familial adenomatous polyposis
FAMM familial atypical mole and melanoma
FAST F ace A rm S peech T est
FBC full blood count
FDG fluorodeoxyglucose
FDG-PET fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
FEIA fluorescent enzyme immunoassay
FENa fractional excretion of sodium
FEUrea fractional excretion of urea
FEV1 forced expiratory volume in one second
FFA Fellow Faculty of Anaesthetists
FFCM Fellow Faculty of Community Medicine
FFDM full-field digital mammography
FFFP Fellow of the Faculty of Family Planning
FFHom Fellow of the Faculty of Homeopathy
FFPath Fellow Faculty of Pathology
FFPHM Fellow Faculty of Public Health Medicine
FFR Fellow Faculty of Radiologists
FISH dual fluorescence in situ hybridisation
FLA-ABS fluorescent antibody absorption test
fl oz fluid ounce
FMRP fragile X mental retardation protein
FNA fine-needle aspiration
FNAC fine-needle aspiration cytology
FPR false positive rate
FRCA Fellow Royal College of Anaesthetists
FRCGP Fellow Royal College of General Practitioners
FRCOG Fellow Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
FRCOphth Fellow Royal College of Ophthalmology
FRCPath Fellow Royal College of Pathologists
FRCPS Fellow Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons
FRCPsych Fellow Royal College of Psychiatrists
FRCR Fellow Royal College of Radiologists
FRCS Fellow Royal College of Surgeons
FRS Fellow of the Royal Society
FRSH Fellow Royal Society of Health
FSE fetal scalp electrode
FSH follicle-stimulating hormone
FVC forced vital capacity
> greater than
g gram
GA general anaesthetic
GABS Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus
GAD glutamic acid decarboxylase
GALC galactosylceramidase
GALT gut-associated lymphoid tissue
GARS gait abnormality rating scale
GBM glomerular basement membrane
GCA giant cell arteritis
G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
GDM gestational diabetes mellitus
GDS Geriatric Depression Scale
GHRH growth hormone-releasing hormone
GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer
GIST gastrointestinal stromal tumour
GIT gastrointestinal tract
GP General Practitioner
GPi globus pallidus interna
GR glucocorticoid receptor
GRBAS Grade, Roughness, Breathy voice, Asthenia and Strain
GREG guideline recommendation and evidence grading
GVHD graft-versus-host disease
HA-MRSA hospital-acquired MRSA
HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy
HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
HAM HTLV-1-associated myelopathy
HaNDL headache and neurological deficits + CSF lymphocytosis
HAV hepatitis A virus
HAVS hand-arm vibration syndrome
HBcAg hepatitis B core antigen
HBeAg hepatitis B e antigen
HBsAg hepatitis B surface antigen
HCTD hereditary connective tissue disorders
HDCV human diploid cell vaccine
HFNEF heart failure with a normal ejection fraction
HFPSF heart failure with preserved systolic function
HGPRT hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase
Hib Haemophilus influenzae type b
HIDA hepatobiliary imino-diacetic acid
HIFU high-intensity focused ultrasound
HNIG human normal immunoglobulin
HNPP hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies
HOCM hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
HoLEP holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
HONK hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma
HOOF Home Oxygen Order Form
HPA CHaPD HPA Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division
HPA NPIS HPA National Poisons Information Service
HPN home parenteral nutrition
HPU Health Protection Unit
HRCT high-resolution CT
HRV heart rate variability
HSC Health and Social Care
hs-CRP high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
HSG hysterosalpingogram
HTLV-1 human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1
HVA homovanillic acid
HVPG hepatic venous pressure gradient
HYVET HY pertension in the V ery E lderly T rial
Hz hertz
IABP intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation
ICAM-1 intercellular adhesion molecule-1
ICAS Independent Complaints Advocacy Services
ICD implantable cardiac defibrillator
ICHD International Classification of Headache Disorders
ICP intracranial pressure
ICP-MS inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry
ICS intercostal space
ICSI intracytoplasmic sperm injection
ICU intensive care unit
IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IDIF indirect immunofluorescence
IE infective endocarditis
IFN-gamma interferon-gamma
IGF-I insulin-like growth factor-I
IGFBP-3 insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3
IGT impaired glucose tolerance
IHD ischaemic heart disease
IM intramuscular/ly
IMB intermenstrual bleeding
IMiD immunomodulatory drug
IPPV intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPR impaired polysaccharide responsiveness
IPV inactivated polio vaccine
IQCODE Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly
IRMA intraretinal microvascular abnormality
IRT immunoreactive trypsinogen
ISS Injury Severity Score
IUCD intrauterine contraceptive device
IUI intrauterine insemination
in vivo within the living
IVF-ET in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer
IVIG intravenous immunoglobulin
IVII IV insulin infusion
IVP intravenous pyelogram
IVRA intravenous regional anaesthesia
IVU intravenous urogram
JCVI Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
JVP jugular venous pressure
kcal kilocalorie
kg kilogram
KJ knee jerk
KOH potassium hydroxide
KR knee reflex
KTP potassium titanyl phosphate
< less than
L litre
LA local anaesthetic
LA lupus anticoagulant
LABAs long-acting beta2 agonists
LACIs lacunar infarcts
LAIV live attenuated influenza vaccine
LAMB lentigines, atrial myxoma, mucocutaneous myxoma, blue naevi
LAP leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
LARC long-acting reversible contraceptive
LASEK laser epithelial keratomileusis
LASIK laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
LAUP laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty
lb pound
LCR ligase chain reaction
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
LFHom Licensed Associate of the Faculty of Homeopathy
LFTs liver function tests
LGIB lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding
LH luteinising hormone
LHH likelihood of being helped or harmed
LHRHa luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist
LIF left iliac fossa
LINks Local Involvement Networks
LLETZ large loop excision of the transformation zone
LMA laryngeal mask airway
LMP last menstrual period
LMWH low molecular weight heparin
LOC loss of consciousness
LOD laparoscopic ovarian ‘drilling’
LSCS lower segment Caesarean section
LSD lysergic acid diethylamide
LTK laser thermal keratoplasty
μg (mcg) microgram
m metre
m3 cubic metre
mm3 cubic millimetre
mm Hg millimetre of mercury
mol mole
m/r modified-release
MAC membrane attack complex
MALT mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue
MAOIs monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MBAcA Member British Acupuncture Association
MB BCh Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MB BChir Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MB BS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MB ChB Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBL mannose-binding lectin
MCAD medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase
MCh mean corpuscular haemoglobin
MCH Master of Surgery
MChir Master of Surgery
MChOrth Master of Orthopaedic Surgery
MCI mild cognitive impairment
MClinPsychol Master of Clinical Psychology
MCOT mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry
MCP metacarpophalangeal
MCR major cytogenetic remission
MC&S microscopy, culture and sensitivity
MCTD mixed connective tissue disease
MCUG micturating cystourethrogram
MCV mean cell volume
MD Doctor of Medicine
MDR multidrug-resistant
MDT multidrug therapy
MEB muscle-eye-brain (disease)
MEL maximum exposure limit
MELD model for end-stage liver disease
MEN multiple endocrine neoplasia
MenC meningitis C
mEq milliequivalent
MERIT Medical Emergency Response Incident Team
MEWDS multiple evanescent white dot syndrome
MFCPU multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis
MFFP Member Faculty of Family Planning
MFHom Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy
MFOM Member Faculty of Occupational Medicine
MFPHM Member Faculty of Public Health Medicine
MFPR multifetal pregnancy reduction
mg milligram
MGUS monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
miRNAs microRNAs
MID multi-infarct dementia
MIO Medical Incident Officer
MIS Müllerian-inhibiting substance
Mitf microphthalmia transcription factor
MJ megajoule
MKP melanoma of known primary source
mL millilitre
MMed Master of Medicine
MMedSci Master of Medical Science
MMR measles, mumps and rubella
MODY maturity onset diabetes of the young
MOH medicine overuse headache
MPIG Minimum Practice Income Guarantee
MR modified release
MRA magnetic renal angiography
MRCGP Member Royal College of General Practitioners
MRCOG Member Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
MRCP Member Royal College of Physicians
MRCPath Member Royal College of Pathologists
MRCPsych Member Royal College of Psychiatrists
MRCS Member Royal College of Surgeons
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MRCP magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
MRSA meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRV magnetic resonance venography
MSAFP maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein
MSLT multiple sleep latency test
MSSA meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
MSU mid-stream specimen of urine
MTCT mother-to-child transmission
MUA manipulation under anaesthetic
MUD matched unrelated donor
MUP melanoma of unknown primary source
MUGA multiple-gated acquisition
MUPS medically unexplained physical symptoms
MUS medically unexplained symptoms
MuSK muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase
Na sodium
NAAT nucleic acid amplification test
NABSA nucleic acid sequence-based amplification technique
NAC N-acetylcysteine
NAD nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
NADP nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
NAME naevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibroma and ephilides
NASH non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
NaTHNaC National Travel Health Network and Centre
NBT nitroblue tetrazolium
NCS nerve conduction studies
NDI nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
NE niacin equivalents
NESP novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein
NICE National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
NICU neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NISS New Injury Severity Score
NIV non-invasive ventilation
nL nanolitre
NNH number needed to harm
NNRTI non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NNT number needed to treat
NOIDs Notifications of Infectious Diseases
NPF Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary
NPIS National Poisons Information Service
NPPV noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
NRTI nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSE neuron-specific enolase
NSTACS non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome
NSTEMI non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
NTD neural tube defect
NT-proBNP N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide
NVH non-visible haematuria
OAES otoacoustic emissions screen
OATS osteoarticular transplantation
OC&P ova, cysts and parasites
OCT optical coherence tomography
od omni die (every day)
OES occupational exposure standard
OGD oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
om omni mane (every morning)
OMIM Online Mendelian Inheritence in Man
on omni nocte (every night)
OTC over-the-counter
OGTT oral glucose tolerance test
OPCAB off-pump coronary artery bypass
ORIF open reduction internal fixation
PACG primary angle closure glaucoma
PACT prescribing analysis and cost tabulation
PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
PAI photoacoustic imaging
PAIR Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Re-aspiration
PALS Patient Advice and Liaison Services
PAM proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, metronidazole
PAPP-A pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A
PAPS primary antiphospholipid syndrome
PAS periodic acid-Schiff
PATH Proteinuria/Antiphospholipid syndrome/Thrombocytopenia/Hypertension
PBP progressive bulbar palsy
pc post cibum (after food)
PCB post-coital bleeding
PCC Patient Client Council
PCEC purified chick embryo cell
PCI pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
PCNL percutaneous coronary intervention
PCNSL percutaneous nephrolithotomy
PCOS Primary central nervous system lymphoma
PCR polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCV polymerase chain reaction
PCV pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
PCWP pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
PDA patent ductus arteriosus
PDD pervasive developmental disorder
PDL pulsed dye laser
PDT photodynamic therapy
PEA pulseless electrical activity
PECS picture exchange communication system
PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
PEP post-exposure prophylaxis
PEPSE post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure
PERLA pupils equal + react to light and accommodation
PEST psoriasis epidemiology screening tool
PET positron emission tomography
PF(R) peak flow (rate)
PI protease inhibitor
PIC punctate inner choroidopathy
PICU paediatric intensive care unit
PIP proximal interphalangeal
PIVKA-II protein induced from vitamin K absence
PJRT permanent junctional re-entrant tachycardia
PLDH pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride
PLHA people living with HIV/AIDS
PLMS periodic limb movements of sleep
PLP1 proteolipid protein-1
PLS primary lateral sclerosis
PM polymyositis
PMA progressive muscular atrophy
PMETB Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board
PML progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
PMN polymorphonuclear
PMR polymyalgia rheumatica
PND postnasal drip
po per os by mouth
POAG primary open angle glaucoma
POCT point of care test
POEM Patient-oriented Eczema Measure
POIC progestogen-only injectable contraceptive
PoM prescription-only medication
POP plaster of Paris
POSDI progestogen-only subdermal implant
POSE primary obesity surgery, endoscopic
POTS postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
PP pancreatic polypeptide
PP psychogenic polydipsia
PPD purified protein derivative
PPE personal protective equipment
PPI proton pump inhibitor
ppm parts per million
PPRA-gamma peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma
PPROM preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes
PPV pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
PR progesterone receptor
PRA preoperative risk assessment
PRL prolactin
prn pro re nata (when required)
PRNP PR ioN P rotein
PRP polyribosyl ribitol phosphate
PS polysomnography
PSA prostate specific antigen
PSVT paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
PT prothrombin time
PTA polymyxin/tobramycin/amphotericin
PTBD percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage
PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH parathyroid hormone
PTRAA percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty
PTX pneumothorax
PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid
PUNS Patient’s Unmet Needs
PUO pyrexia of unknown origin
PVA polyvinyl alcohol
PVS persistent vegetative state
qad quoque alternis die (every other day)
qam quaque die ante meridiem (every day before noon)
qd quaque die (every day)
qds quater die sumendum (to be taken four times daily)
qh quaque hora (every hour)
qhs quaque hora somni (every night at bedtime)
qid quattuor in die (four times a day)
qod every other day
qpm quaque die post meridiem (every day after noon)
qqh quarta quaque hora (every four hours)
® registered trademark
RAADP routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis
RADS Reynolds’ Adolescent Depression Scale
RAEB refractory anaemia with excess blasts
RAEBt refractory anaemia with excess blasts in transformation
RAPD relevant afferent pupil defect
RARS refractory anaemia with ringed sideroblasts
RAS renin angiotensin system
RAST radioallergosorbent test
RCA root cause analysis
RCDS Reynolds’ Child Depression Scale
RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
RCN Royal College of Nursing
RCOG Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
RCT randomised controlled trial
RDS respiratory distress syndrome
RDT rapid diagnostic test
REBT rational emotive behavioural therapy
REE resting energy expenditure
rFVIIa recombinant activated factor VIIa
rHA recombinant haemagglutinin
rhG-CSF recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
rHuEPO recombinant human erythropoietin
RICE Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RIF right iliac fossa
RIFLE Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease
RIMA Reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A
rINN Recommended International Non-proprietary Name
RLS restless legs syndrome
RMO responsible medical officer
rNA recombinant neuraminidase
RPGN rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
RPR rapid plasmin reagin
RPS19 small ribosomal protein 19
RPSGB Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
RRR relative risk reduction
RSI repetitive strain injury
RTA renal tubular acidosis
RUQ right upper quadrant
RVOT right ventricular outflow tract
s/c sugar-coated
SABRE serious and adverse blood reactions and events
SAD seasonal affective disorder
SAD social anxiety disorder
SAH subarachnoid haemorrhage
SALT skin-associated lymphoid tissue
SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis
SCD sudden cardiac death
SCHIN Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics at Newcastle
SCID severe combined immune deficiency
SCS spinal cord stimulation
SCT supervised community treatment
SEGA subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
SEN subependymal nodule
SERMs selective (o)estrogen receptor modulators
SFH symphyseal fundal height
SGA small for gestational age
SHOX stature homeobox-containing gene
SIGN Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
SIRS systemic inflammatory response syndrome
SITREP situation report
SJ supinator jerk
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR straight leg raise
SLS selected list scheme
SMC Scottish Medicines Consortium
SNOMED Standardised Nomenclature of Medicine
SNRIs serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
s-NVH symptomatic non-visible haematuria
SOCOs Scene of Crime Officers
SPC Summary of Product Characteristics
SPECT single-photon emission computed tomography scanning
SpR Specialist Registrar
SPRM selective progesterone receptor modulator
SR supinator reflex
SRS somatostatin receptor scintigraphy
SRT structured reflective template
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
SSS subclavian steal syndrome
START Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment
stat statim (immediately)
STEMI ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
STN subthalamic nucleus
STOPP Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions
SURUSS Serum Urine and Ultrasound Screening Study
SVTs supraventricular tachycardias
SXA single energy X-ray absorptiometry
SXR skull X-ray
TACE transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation
TAPP transabdominal preperitoneal
TATTS tired all the time syndrome
TBSA total burn surface area
TDF tenofovir DF
Td/IPV tetanus, diphtheria and polio
tds ter die sumendum (to be taken three days daily)
TEE transoesophageal echocardiography
TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TEP totally extraperitoneal
TESE testicular sperm extraction
TEVAR thoracic endovascular aneurysm/aortic repair
TIA transient ischaemic attack
tid ter in die (three times daily)
TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TIVAS totally implantable venous access system
tiw three times a week
TJ triceps jerk
TKI tyrosine kinase inhibitor
TLC total lung capacity
TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation
TNA transient neurological attack
TOP termination of pregnancy
tPA tissue plasminogen activator
TPN total parenteral nutrition
TR triceps reflex
TRALI transfusion-related acute lung injury
TRISS Trauma and Injury Severity Score
TRT tinnitus retraining therapy
TSE transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
TSS toxic shock syndrome
TTE transthoracic echocardiography
tTG tissue transglutaminase
TUIP transurethral incision of the prostate
TURP transurethral resection of the prostate
TUVP transurethral vaporisation of the prostate
TYM Test Your Memory
U&E urea and electrolytes
UCTD unclassified connective tissue disorder
ud ut dictum (as directed)
UGIB upper gastrointestinal bleeding
ULN upper limit of normal
UPD uniparental disomy
UPPP uvelopalatopharyngoplasty
URA unilateral renal agenesis
VATS video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
VCA viral capsid antigen
VEP visual evoked potential
VF ventricular fibrillation
VGCC voltage-gated calcium channel
VH visible haematuria
VIP vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
VLCFA very long chain fatty acids
VLDL very low-density lipoprotein
VMA vanillylmandelic acid
VPI velopharyngeal insufficiency
VT ventricular tachycardia
VTEC O157 verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157
WASP Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein
WATCH Working Group on the Assessment of Toxic Chemicals
WBH-DTI whole-brain histogram of diffusion tensor imaging
WCC white cell count
WHO World Health Organization
WLL whole-lung lavage
WRIGHT WHO Research into global hazards of travel
XDR extensively drug-resistant