[Early diagnosis of chronic systemic inflammatory disorders]

Functionally relevant damage caused by chronic systemic inflammatory disorders of autoimmune and/or unknown origin can be reduced or sometimes avoided by early initiation of treatment. This requires a correct diagnosis which makes treatment as early as possible. Due to the often uncharacteristic symptoms at the onset of disease, early diagnosis in systemic inflammatory disorders represents a diagnostic challenge. This review outlines current standards and limitations in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, collagen vascular diseases and primary systemic vasculitides. Recent advances especially in serology and imaging techniques have improved early diagnosis of systemic inflammatory disorders.