To the Editor:
We read with interest the recent editorial regarding the exploding misuse of acronyms in scientific journals 1 that has led to the coining of acronymania, acronymophilia, and acronymesis. These are in addition to the terms acronymia 2 and acronymitis, 3 which have been used by some to refer to this phenomenon.
Whereas the authors refer to the plethora of acronyms used in the naming of cardiology clinical trials, this infestation also appears to be infiltrating oncologic clinical trials: START (STAndardization of breast RadioTherapy) and ALMANAC (Axially Lymphatic Mapping Against Nodal Axillary Clearance) are two examples. 4 There has even been debate in some surgery circles about which acronym should be used to describe a particular trauma examination: FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) or SLOH (Systemic Look for Occult Hemorrhage). 5,6
Rules of “acronymogenesis” should be well known to authors, 7 and multiple admonitions to define acronyms upon first use in a paper already exist in the literature. 8,9 When authors continue to intentionally malign the English language with this acronym addiction or fail to define acronyms according to the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals, 10 the task of maintaining acceptable writing standards then falls to editors, manuscript reviewers, and readers. The SALT (Scientists Against Lame Terms) of this earth must rise up to face their acronymesis, and a concerted effort in the form of yet another society—SALSA (Society Against iLlegitimate Scientific Acronyms)—may be necessary.
Footnotes
Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 2 double-spaced typewritten pages and should contain no more than 4 references. They should be signed, with the expectation that the letters will be published if appropriate. The right to edit all correspondence in accordance with Journal style is reserved by the editors.
References
- 1.Fred HL, Cheng TO. Acronymesis: the exploding misuse of acronyms [editorial]. Tex Heart Inst J 2003;30:255–7. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
- 2.Beck WC. Acronymia [editorial]. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1990; 171:509.
- 3.Jaffe BM. Acronymitis [editorial]. Surg Rounds 1990;13:11–2.
- 4.Fallowfield L, Jenkins V. Acronymic trials: the good, the bad, and the coercive [commentary]. Lancet 2002;360(9346):1622. [DOI] [PubMed]
- 5.Boulanger BR. A new acronym for the FAST examination [letter]. J Trauma 2000;49:570–1. [DOI] [PubMed]
- 6.Biffl WL, Moore EE, Kendall J. What's in a name [letter]. J Trauma 2000;49:572.11003345
- 7.Lader EW. Acronym mania [letter]. Lancet 2002;360(9332):576. [DOI] [PubMed]
- 8.Cheng TO. Acronyms must be defined [letter]. Atherosclerosis 2002;165:383. [DOI] [PubMed]
- 9.Cheng TO. Every acronym should be defined when it first appears in a publication [letter]. Circulation 2002;106:e134. [DOI] [PubMed]
- 10.ICMJE.org [homepage on the Internet]. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors updated November 2003; cited 5 January 2004. Available from: http://www.icmje.org/.