Pozzdravleniea health literacy reference

An independent health reference. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor: we do not diagnose or prescribe treatment. In a life-threatening emergency call 112 (or 103 for an ambulance in Russia). This site is not connected with the former greetings service on this domain.

Medical glossary

Medical glossary

This glossary covers words you meet in science news, test referrals, lab reports and medicine leaflets. The definitions are short and general: they help you understand what is being discussed but do not replace your doctor's explanation.

An unfamiliar word in a medical report is not a reason to worry but a reason to ask. It is easier for a doctor to explain than to clear up a misunderstanding later.

— Editor's note

Research

Randomised controlled trial (RCT)
A study in which participants are randomly assigned to groups and the outcomes of the intervention and the control are compared.
Cohort study
Following a group of people over time to see how factors relate to later events.
Case-control study
A comparison of people with and without a disease: how they differed in the past.
Systematic review and meta-analysis
A review gathers and assesses all relevant studies on a question; a meta-analysis combines their results statistically.
Placebo
A substance or procedure with no active effect, used for comparison with the intervention being studied.
Blinding
A technique in which participants and/or researchers do not know who is in which group, so that expectations do not affect the result.
Preprint
A scientific paper published before peer review by independent experts.

Prevention and screening

Preventive medical examination
An examination to detect diseases and risk factors early; in Russia it can be done every year free of charge under OMS.
Dispanserizatsiya (extended check-up)
In Russia, an extended preventive check-up: once every three years from age 18 to 39, every year from age 40. The procedure is set by the Russian Ministry of Health.
Screening
Testing people without symptoms to find a disease or its signs at an early stage.
Vaccination
Giving a vaccine so that the body develops protection against an infection.
Risk factor
A characteristic or habit linked to a higher likelihood of disease. Having a risk factor does not mean the disease will necessarily develop.
Registered clinic
In Russia, the outpatient clinic you are registered with under your OMS policy; preventive examinations and check-ups are free there.

Measurements and tests

Blood pressure
The pressure of blood against the artery walls; recorded as two numbers in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
Hypertension
High blood pressure. According to WHO, it is diagnosed when blood pressure measured on two different days is at least 140/90 mmHg both times. It often causes no symptoms.
Reference range
The range of values for a measurement given by the laboratory on the lab report. Ranges depend on the laboratory and method; values outside them are assessed by a doctor.
Relative risk
How many times the probability of an event in one group differs from the probability in another.
Absolute risk
The actual probability of an event, for example how many people out of a hundred in a group fell ill.
Correlation
A statistical association between two measures. Correlation does not equal causation.

Medicines and safety

GRLS
Russia's State Register of Medicines (grls.rosminzdrav.ru), where you can check whether a product is registered as a medicine in Russia.
Dietary supplement
A biologically active food supplement. It is not a medicine.
Side effect
An unwanted effect of a medicine; possible side effects are listed in the patient leaflet.
Contraindication
A condition or circumstance in which a medicine or procedure must not be used, or must be used with caution.
Drug interaction
A change in how one product works because of another, including a supplement. That is why your doctor needs to know about everything you take.

Articles on glossary topics

  • Reading research

    How to read health research news: study types, verification steps and red flags.

  • Prevention

    Preventive check-ups in Russia's state health insurance (OMS) system and how to get the most from them. WHO guidance for adults.

  • Methods and approaches

    What counts as evidence-based, the main types of intervention and how to check a claim about a method.

  • Questions for your doctor

    What to ask your doctor and who to see first.

Sources

  • WHO. Hypertension: fact sheet
  • Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Procedure for the preventive medical examination and dispanserizatsiya (health check-up)
  • State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation (GRLS, grls.rosminzdrav.ru)
  • General principles of evidence-based medicine

Information is current as of the preparation date. The Russian check-up schedule, recommendations from health organisations and medicine registration rules may change — check current arrangements with your clinic and official sources.