[Nosologic criteria in rheumatology]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Epidemiology

Context:

• Nosologic criteria are fundamental in rheumatology for disease diagnosis, classification, and outcome assessment.
• Developed primarily for syndromes of unknown etiology, they serve as standards for scientific communication and patient group selection.
• These criteria are vital across various rheumatology subfields, including epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical practice, diagnostics, and therapy.

Purpose:

• To review the diverse types and functions of nosologic criteria used in rheumatic diseases.
• To critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing diagnostic, classification, status, prognostic, and outcome criteria.
• To comment on specific criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology's Diagnostic and Therapeutic Criteria Committee.

Summary:

• The review delineates the roles of diagnostic, classification, status, prognostic, and outcome criteria in managing rheumatic diseases.
• It highlights their importance in identifying individual diseases, defining patient cohorts for research, and measuring disease activity and impact.
• Problems and critical aspects of currently employed nosologic criteria, particularly those from the American College of Rheumatology, are discussed.

Impact:

• Enhances understanding of how nosologic criteria facilitate scientific communication and patient stratification in rheumatology research.
• Provides a critical perspective on the utility and challenges of current nosologic criteria, informing future developments.
• Aims to improve the precision and reliability of rheumatic disease diagnosis, classification, and outcome assessment in clinical practice and research.