The Use and Abuse of Diagnostic/Classification Criteria #MMPMID26096094
June RR; Aggarwal R
Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2014[Dec]; 28 (6): 921-34 PMID26096094show ga
In rheumatic diseases, classification criteria have been developed to identify well-defined homogenous cohorts for clinical research. Although, they are commonly used in clinical practice, their use may not be appropriate for routine diagnostic clinical care. Classification criteria are being revised with improved methodology and further understanding of disease pathophysiology, but still may not encompass all unique clinical situations to be applied for diagnosis of heterogeneous, rare, evolving rheumatic diseases. Diagnostic criteria development is challenging primarily due to difficulty for universal application given significant differences in prevalence of rheumatic diseases based on geographical area and clinic settings. Despite these shortcomings, the clinician can still use classification criteria for understanding the disease as well as a guide for diagnosis with a few caveats. We present the limits of current classification criteria, describe their use and abuse in clinical practice, and how they should be used with caution when applied in clinics.
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Best+Pract+Res+Clin+Rheumatol 2014 ; 28 (6): 921-34
