The validity of the ECLAM index for the retrospective evaluation of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement Index (ECLAM) can be used to evaluate disease activity in patients retrospectively from the data provided in their clinical charts.


METHODS
The ECLAM score was calculated twice in a series of 64 consecutive SLE patients: first for each patient during the course of a standard clinical evaluation (direct-ECLAM), and then one to two weeks later solely on the basis of the data provided in the patient's clinical chart (chartECLAM). The scorings for each patient were performed by two different assessors.


RESULTS
The direct-ECLAM and chart-ECLAM scores were highly correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.86). The regression line was not significantly different from the identity line (t-test). The Pearson's coefficient was 0.88. The interobserver variability of the chart-ECLAM showed a low inter-rater variability.


CONCLUSIONS
ECLAM could represent a valid and reliable instrument for the retrospective analysis of disease activity in SLE patients.
Mosca
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. marta@sssup.it
Bencivelli
W
W
Vitali
C
C
Carrai
P
P
Neri
R
R
Bombardieri
S
S
D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index