title: Numerical scoring for the BILAG-2004 index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an additive numerical scoring scheme for the BILAG-2004 index.
  
  
  METHODS
  SLE patients were recruited into this multi-centre cross-sectional study. At every assessment, data were collected on disease activity and therapy. Logistic regression was used to model an increase in therapy, as an indicator of active disease, by the BILAG-2004 index score in the nine systems. As both indicate inactivity, scores of D and E were set to 0 and used as the baseline in the fitted model. The models were used to determine the numerical values for Grades A-C. Different scoring schemes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 1510 assessments from 369 SLE patients. The coding schemes suggested for the Classic BILAG index (A = 12, B = 5, C = 1, D/E = 0 and A = 9, B = 3, C = 1, D/E = 0) did not fit the data well. A coding scheme (A = 12, B = 8, C = 1 and D/E = 0) was recommended, based on analysis results and consistency with the numerical coding scheme of the Classic BILAG index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A reasonable additive numerical scoring scheme based on treatment decision for the BILAG-2004 index is A = 12, B = 8, C = 1, D = 0 and E = 0.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Group, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. csyee@ymail.com
authors.forename: Chee-Seng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cresswell
authors.forename: Vernon
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Farewell
authors.forename: Anisur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Lee-Suan
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Ian N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Yasmeen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Athiveeraramapandian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prabu
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akil
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: D'Cruz
authors.forename: Munther A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khamashta
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Isenberg
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents