dementia

(de-men-ture)

Changes in mental function, co-ordination and personality resulting from direct effects of HIV infection in the brain.

dermatitis

(der-ma-ty-tus)

Inflammation of the skin.

diabetes

(dy-a-bee-teez)

A condition characterised by raised concentration of sugar in the blood and urine, due to problems with the production or action of insulin.

diagnosis

Description of the causes of a patient's medical problems.

diarrhoea

(dy-yor-ree-ah)

Abnormal bowel movements, characterised by watery or frequent stools.

disease progression

The worsening of a disease.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the material in the nucleus of a cell where genetic information is stored.

dose

Measured amount of a drug to be taken at one time.

dose-ranging trial

A clinical trial where two or more doses of a drug are compared to see which works best and is least harmful.

double-blind

A clinical trial where neither the researchers nor participants know which assigned treatment an individual participant in the trial is taking until after the end of the trial.

dysplasia

(diss-play-zee-uh)

Abnormal growth of cells.