title: [Evidence-based laboratory tests for the diagnosis and evaluation of connective tissue diseases].
abstract: For the proper application of the laboratory tests, it is essential to select the best suitable ones based on the inquiry and the physical examination of the patients and to interpret the test results in accordance with the evidence-based manner. Here described is the way to make use of the clinical laboratoy tests, not only the immunological ones such as rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies but the general screening tests such as complete blood cell counts, focusing mainly on the diagnoses of the connective tissue diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koshiba
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D008403:Mass Screening; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor