title: Clinical epidemiology: diagnostic and prognostic tests.
abstract: Recent studies of diagnostic and prognostic tests have commonly examined serological tests and new imaging techniques. Antifilaggrin antibodies have been found to be highly specific for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but uncertainty remains about the sensitivity of this test, particularly in early RA. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound continue to be explored as methods to detect synovitis and erosions in RA. Several recent studies have confirmed the association between the human leukocyte antigen DRB1 shared epitope and worse radiographic outcomes in patients with RA. Interlaboratory variation in detecting autoantibodies remains a concern, as does overuse of tests for antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies.
authors.affiliation: Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. wardm1@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015798:HLA-DR1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D015798:HLA-DR1 Antigen; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor