title: [Laboratory diagnostics in rheumatology].
abstract: Peripheral blood cytology and acute phase reactants are used to distinguish between non-inflammatory and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, whereas chronic phase reactants and immunoglobulins can give guidance in distinguishing acute from chronic inflammatory conditions. The complicated path to a well-defined diagnosis of rheumatic disease involves autoimmune serology. This review puts special emphasis on the rational use of autoantibody results for diagnosis, prognosis, planning of follow-up, and estimating the need for therapy. A clinically important use of serodiagnostics can only be implemented by a close collaboration between clinicians and laboratory specialists. A tentative diagnosis is the best basis for ordering and interpreting laboratory results.
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunafdelingen, Statens Serum Institut, bygning 81, rum 544, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 København S. aw@ssi.dk
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiik
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000032:analysis; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007633:Keratins; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor