Publications from EASI-Groups

• Dias C
  Systemic Autoimmune Diseases - Case Report Book
  EASI Portugal 
  
  Click here for the pdf
  
  
• Sack U, Conrad K, Csernok E, Frank I, Hiepe F, Krieger T, Kromminga A, von Landenberg P, Messer G, Witte T, Mierau R
  Autoantibody detection using indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells
  Ann NY Acad Sci 2009; 1173:166-173
  
  
• Sack U, Conrad K, Csernok E, Frank I, Hiepe F, Krieger T, Kromminga A, von Landenberg P, Messer G, Witte T, Mierau R for the German EASI-Group
  Autoantiklörpernachweis mittels indirekter Immunfluorsezenz an HEp-2-Zellen
  Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2007; 1109:31-36
  
  
• Sack U, Conrad K, Csernok E, Frank I, Haass M, Krieger T, Seyfarth M, Schlosser U, Schmidt RE, Witte T.
  Standardization of Autoimmune Diagnostics in Germany.
  Ann NY Acad Sci 2007; 1109:31-36
  
  ABSTRACT: The German Regional Group of EASI was established during the annual Meeting of the German Society of Immunology in Kiel in September 2005. Since this initial informative meeting, an active core group of about a dozen rheumatologists, immunologists, and laboratory specialists has been generating starter projects. In general, these projects do focus on clinically associated diagnostic questions, and do integrate a variety of specialists with profound knowledge in several related subjects. The aims of the German EASI group are to contribute to the definition of standards and to improve patient care. Therefore, the group is establishing guidelines for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases,to standardize and improve their quality, combining the experience of clinical and laboratory specialists. The diagnostic activities focus currently on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and on rheumatoid
  arthritis. ... (size restricted)
  
  
  
• Shoenfeld Y, Cervera R, Haass M, Kallenberg C, Khamashta M, Meroni P, Piette JC, Schmidt R, Wiik A.
  EASI - The European Autoimmunity Standardisation Initiative - A new initiative that can contribute to agreed diagnostic models of diagnosing autoimmune disorders throughout Europe.
  Ann NY Acad Sci 2007; 1109:138-144
  
  ABSTRACT: The European Autoimmunity Standardisation Initiative (EASI) was founded 6 years ago with the intention of improving diagnostics in chronic rheumatic disorders by strengthening the collaboration between clinical and laboratory scientists responsible for autoimmune diagnostics at any given level of the health care systems in Europe. Thorough clinical work-up is frequently not the basis for the usage of laboratory tests. Old established test methods may be exchanged for new methods without the differences being communicated. Often, the optimal way of reporting laboratory results to the clinic has not been agreed upon between clinicians and laboratory scientists. ... (size restricted)
  
  
  
• Wiik A, Cervera R, Haass M, Kallenberg C, Khamashta M, Meroni PL, Piettel JC, Schmitt R, Shoenfeld Y.
  European attempts to set guidelines for improving diagnostics of autoimmune rheumatic disorders
  Lupus 2006; 15 (7):391-396
  
  ABSTRACT: The rational way to set a diagnosis and estimate a prognosis in rheumatology is to start by setting a tentative diagnosis and then follow a fixed scheme for laboratory testing, eg. by using an agreed algorithm. The use of order algorithms can be extended to post-test algorithms that will assist clinicians in approaching the right diagnosis and prognosis. New methods used in autoimmne serology do not deliver results that can be directly compared to those of older methods, and thus the new methods need to be thoroughly tested with sera from differential diagnostically relevant disease controls to set a clinically meaningful cut-off for positivity. Borderline positive results need to be treated with special care to avoid misuse. Early diagnosis is of great importance, and serological results can be very useful if used the right way. European efforts to secure rational diagnostic work-up in autoimmune rheumatic disease have led to a better dialogue between clinicians and laboratory scientists in several countries.