Abstract
The use of diagnostic testing in the clinical practice of medicine has been a shifting landscape from the time that the first blood test was utilized. This is no different in the field of immunology and in particular rheumatology. As the field of immunology is relatively young, the clinical tests are not well established and therefore guidelines for use are still under debate. In this review, we seek to look at some of the key autoantibodies, as well as other tests that are available to diagnose suspected rheumatologic disease, and examine how to best use these tests in the clinic. In particular, we will focus on the anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, complement, cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor, and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology
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Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
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Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology
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Autoantibodies / blood*
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Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis*
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
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Biological Factors / blood
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Complement System Proteins / analysis
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Complement System Proteins / immunology
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Cryoglobulins / analysis
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Cryoglobulins / immunology
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Humans
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Immunologic Tests
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Immunoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis
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Immunoproliferative Disorders / immunology
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Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis*
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Rheumatic Diseases / immunology*
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Rheumatoid Factor / blood*
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Urticaria / diagnosis
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Urticaria / immunology
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Vasculitis / diagnosis
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Vasculitis / immunology
Substances
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
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Antibodies, Antinuclear
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Autoantibodies
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Biological Factors
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Cryoglobulins
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Complement System Proteins
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Rheumatoid Factor