title: Laboratory diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Laboratory investigations have been perhaps the most important factor in the development of our understanding and classification of rheumatic diseases. Provided they are used and interpreted appropriately, they can assist considerably in the diagnosis and management of these diseases. They are an important adjunct to clinical findings, but not a substitute for them.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006073:Gout / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*