An external validation study of a      classification of mixed connective tissue disease  and systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune rheumatic diseases that are difficult for physicians to diagnose and to distinguish for a variety of reasons.  The correct classification of these two diseases is a crucial issue for clinicians who treat autoimmune rheumatic diseases.  In prior research,  medical risk factors  represented by instrument or laboratory measures and physician judgments  (12 key features for MCTD and 12 key features for SLE) were parameterized with a one parameter logistic function in a Rasch model.  Those results identified separate diagnostic dimensions for MCTD and SLE.   This procedure was replicated in the present research with a sample of largely African American and Hispanic patients.  Results verified  separate dimensions for MCTD and SLE, which suggests MCTD is a separate disease from SLE.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, USA.
Robert W
RW
Hoffman
Nikolaus
N
Bezruczko
Kyle
K
Perkins
D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity