title: Rational use of blood tests in the evaluation of rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Many blood tests used in the evaluation of rheumatic diseases are non-specific and should not be ordered and interpreted in isolation. False positive results can lead to inappropriate therapies with serious adverse events while false negatives may steer the provider to incorrect diagnoses. Relying on blood tests alone without considering the clinical context should be avoided.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri School of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, USA. sivac@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Chokkalingam
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siva
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnett
mesh_terms: D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012698:Serologic Tests