Laboratory biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases

2020-08-12
Christian Dejaco

Dr Christian Dejaco is an associate professor in the Department of Rheumatology at the Medical University of Graz (Austria) and author of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica and large vessel vasculitis.

Are there any laboratory biomarkers or other tools that can distinguish immune-mediated rheumatic diseases from other disorders and from possible complications, such as infections?

Christian Dejaco, MD, PhD: In reality, it is a very broad question because we would have to look at each individual disease and see which parameters can help in this differentiation.

In general, I would say that it is important to see everything together: history, clinical examination, and lab results. These parameters together can help us distinguish between an activity of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and neoplasms or infections.

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