title: A comparison of the sensitivity of the 1971 and 1982 American Rheumatism Association criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The sensitivity of the American Rheumatism Association's preliminary and revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was tested in 156 of our SLE patients. Eighty-eight percent met the 1971 preliminary criteria. Eighty-three percent fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria when arthritis was strictly defined (nonerosive arthritis) and 91% when arthritis was more liberally defined (nondeforming arthritis). Analysis revealed that of the 3 serologic tests added in the revised criteria (antinuclear antibody, anti-Sm, anti-DNA), the antinuclear antibody test accounted for the increased sensitivity of the revised criteria.
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000145:classification*; D008722:Methods; D012219:Rheumatology; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States