title: Screening tests for inflammatory activity: applications in rheumatology.
abstract: Inflammation is a hallmark of rheumatic diseases. The response to tissue injury comprises a series of changes which result in the shedding of pathogens, limitation of tissue damage and restoration of affected structures. These changes depend on increased or decreased serum concentrations of certain proteins known as inflammatory biomarkers. Laboratory analysis of these markers, together with clinical data and other complementary tests enable the assessment of disease activity and treatment response and can indicate the presence of infection. The screening tests currently available for identifying inflammatory activity include the determination of C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as well as protein electrophoresis. Here, we review the characteristics of a number of inflammatory biomarkers and their use in the assessment of inflammatory activity in rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nilton Salles
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Rosa Neto
authors.forename: Jozélio Freire
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012219:Rheumatology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers