Glossary

Any treatment regimen used after a number of earlier regimens have failed.

In relation to medical tests, a small specimen (e.g. of blood) taken for testing. In relation to people taking part in a study, see ‘representative sample’.

See ‘powered’.

Endpoints in a trial that provide supportive evidence to the primary endpoint.

When using a diagnostic test, the probability that a person who does have a medical condition will receive the correct test result (i.e. positive). See also ‘specificity’.

The presence of pus-forming bacteria in the body.

The time at which a person's antibody status changes from negative to positive.

Clear, non-cellular portion of the blood, containing antibodies and other proteins and chemicals.

Condition caused by a herpes virus infection, involving painful blisters on the skin.

Any additional, unwanted, effect caused by a drug.

Examination of the rectum and lower bowel with a flexible viewing device.

See ‘statistical significance’.

Related to or affecting monkeys.

A type of clinical trial in which the participants do not know what treatments they are getting, but their doctors do. See also ‘double-blind’.

Inflammation or infection of the sinuses, which are cavities behind the forehead and cheekbones.

When using a diagnostic test, the probability that a person without a medical condition will receive the correct test result (i.e. negative). See also ‘sensitivity’.

An instrument for enlarging the opening of any canal or cavity in order to inspect its interior, e.g. vagina, rectum, ear or nose.

Organ which produces white blood cells and acts as a reservoir for red blood cells.

Enlarged spleen.

When, during acute viral hepatitis infection, the immune system responds effectively to the virus and eliminates it from the body, without medicines. This is a cure.

A diagnostic test in which a sample of spit is examined under the microscope for the presence of micro-organisms.

This term is used to describe the detection of abnormal cells that have been ‘transformed’ by HPV into a possibly pre-cancerous state. According to the degree of cell change this will be called low-grade or high-grade SIL (LSIL or HSIL). If SIL is detected a colposcopy will usually be ordered.

The stage of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of liver scarring (fibrosis) detected by biopsy. Usually measured on scales of 0 to 4, or 0 to 6 (higher numbers indicated more severe inflammation). 

Provides a measure of the spread of values.

Drug used to lower cholesterol (blood fats).

Statistical tests are used to judge whether the results of a study could be due to chance and would not be confirmed if the study was repeated. If result is probably not due to chance, the results are ‘statistically significant’. See also ‘p-value’ and ‘confidence interval’.

Abnormal fat deposits in the liver.

Drugs used to damp down excessive immune responses.

Social attitudes that suggest that having a particular illness or being in a particular situation is something to be ashamed of. Stigma can be questioned and challenged.

In a clinical trial, instructions for when individuals who have a poor response to treatment should stop taking it. Designed to minimise the development of drug-resistance.

A variant characterised by a specific genotype.

Beneath or introduced beneath the skin, e.g. a subcutaneous injection is an injection beneath the skin.

When somebody who already has a viral infection is exposed to a different strain or a different virus, and acquires it in addition to their existing virus. For example a person with hepatitis C is infected with a different strain of hepatitis C, or a person with chronic hepatitis B is infected with hepatitis D.

A clinical trial which aims to demonstrate that one treatment is better than another. 

An indirect indicator of something, such as measuring viral load to assess the treatment effect of a drug.

Undetectable hepatitis C RNA after treatment has come to an end. Usually SVR refers to RNA remaining undetectable for 24 weeks (six months) after ending treatment and is considered to be a cure. SVR4 and SVR12 refer to RNA remaining undetectable for 4 and 12 weeks respectively. 

A condition that results from or accompanies an illness or disease.

Having symptoms.

A group of symptoms and diseases that together are characteristic of a specific condition.

When two or more drugs produce an effect greater than adding their separate effects.

A review of the findings of all studies which relate to a particular research question and which conform to pre-determined selection criteria. See also ‘meta-analysis’. 

Acting throughout the body rather than locally.