Descriptions of Medical Categories for Clinical Trials

Cardiology/Vascular

Conditions that involve the heart and/or the blood vessels:  High blood pressure, high cholesterol and anemia would fall into this category along with chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure.

Endocrinology

Conditions involving hormone production (or the lack thereof): diabetes, menopause, hormone-replacement therapy, obesity, and other conditions that involve the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes, and pancreas.

Gastroenterology/Hepatology

Conditions affecting any of the intestinal organs: in additon to the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and colon, this includes the liver, biliary tract, and the pancreas. Research studies include: ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, constipation, gall bladder disease, heartburn, ulcers, and others.

Immunology/Infectious Diseases

Conditions involving virulent organisms and the body's defense mechanisms: bacterial and viral infections, common cold, influenza, AIDS/HIV, auto-immune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, lyme disease, and others.

Musculoskeletal/Sports Medicine

Conditions affecting muscles and bones: bone density, osteoporosis, fractures, back pain, joint replacement, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others.

Nephrology/Urology

Conditions involving the kidney and the urinary tract: kidney disease, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, impotence, and others.

Neurology

Conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system: Alzheimer’s Disease, other dementias, memory loss, headaches, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, strokes, and others.

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Studies involving the reproductive system of women, in health and in disease. This includes pregnancy and childbirth, contraception, hormone-replacement therapy, menopause, menstrual disorders, ovarian cysts, PMS, yeast infections, and others.

Oncology (Cancer)

The medical, surgical, and radiation treatment of tumors.

Ophthalmology

Conditions affecting the eye, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and others.

Otolaryngology

Conditions involving the ears, nose, and throat (otolaryngology is also known as ENT): including allergy, ear infections, sinus infections, and others.

Pediatrics/Neonatology

Conditions affecting children and infants, respectively, including anorexia, asthma, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), birth defects, cancers in children, child depression, growth deficiencies, juvenile diabetes, obesity, strep throat, vaccines, and others.

Pulmonary/Respiratory Diseases

Conditions involving the lungs and respiratory tract, including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, lung disease, pneumonia, sinus infections, and others.

Rheumatology

Conditions affecting the joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and others.

Trauma/Emergency Medicine

Conditions requiring immediate medical attention including traumatic brain injuries and others.

Women's Health

Conditions involving women's health issues including breast disorders, menopause, reproduction and more.