Numerical scoring for the BILAG-2004 index.
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.
Yee
Chee-Seng
CS
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
Cresswell
Lynne
L
Farewell
Vernon
V
Rahman
Anisur
A
Teh
Lee-Suan
LS
Griffiths
Bridget
B
Bruce
Ian N
IN
Ahmad
Yasmeen
Y
Prabu
Athiveeraramapandian
A
Akil
Mohammed
M
McHugh
Neil
N
D'Cruz
David
D
Khamashta
Munther A
MA
Isenberg
David A
DA
Gordon
Caroline
C
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
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents