title: Efficacy of tests used to monitor rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: The relative efficacy of clinical and laboratory tests used to monitor disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis was determined by consensus analysis in a study of 21 patients treated for 6 months. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which is influenced by the anaemia of chronic disease and by variation in the blood concentration of acute-phase proteins, was the most effective single test. ESR was a better guide to disease severity than measurement of plasma viscosity, serum C-reactive protein, and serum orosomucoid--tests that reflect the blood concentration of acute-phase proteins only. Clinical tests performed poorly unless combined with laboratory data in a numerical index. Consensus analysis can be used to assess the efficacy of clinical and laboratory tests and to identify redundant tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Medical School, University of Birmingham.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Westengard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farr
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D009961:Orosomucoid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein