<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><xml><records><record><source-app name="HighWire" version="7.x">Drupal-HighWire</source-app><ref-type name="Journal Article">17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Saraux, Alain</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Fautrel, Bruno</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Maillefert, Jean Francis</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Flipo, René Marc</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Kaye, Olivier</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Lafforgue, Pierre</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Gourves, Katell</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Guillemin, Francis</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Club Rheumatism and Inflammation</style></author></authors><secondary-authors></secondary-authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Laboratory and imaging studies used by French rheumatologists to evaluate patients with early arthritis.</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The Journal of Rheumatology</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2006</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2006-05-01 00:00:00</style></date></pub-dates></dates><pages><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">897-902</style></pages><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">33</style></volume><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">5</style></issue><abstract><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">OBJECTIVE: To conduct a practice survey of laboratory and imaging studies used by French rheumatologists to identify the cause of recent-onset arthritis. METHODS: We selected a random sample of 210 rheumatologists, who were asked to recruit all patients with recent-onset arthritis (at least one joint involved, for less than one year) during a 2 week period, and to record laboratory and imaging studies performed. Results were analyzed in the overall group, in diagnostic subgroups, and in clinical presentation subgroups. RESULTS: The 119 rheumatologists who participated recruited 104 patients. Investigations done in 50% to 75% of patients were blood cell counts; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; serum assays of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factors, antinuclear antibodies; and hand radiographs. Investigations in 50% to 74% of patients were serum ASAT/ALAT, creatinine, and uric acid; and foot radiographs. Finally, 25% to 49% of patients were tested for proteinuria; antikeratin antibodies; hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and Lyme serologies; creatine phosphokinase; blood iron; HLA-B27; and radiographs of chest and pelvis. No differences were found between investigations in patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis and/or undifferentiated arthritis and those in other patients. In contrast, suspected diagnoses and presence of extraarticular manifestations classically associated with specific diseases modified the selection of investigations. CONCLUSION: Although considerable variability occurred, our study suggests that a limited panel of laboratory and imaging studies is performed in at least 25% of patients with recent-onset arthritis, regardless of clues suggesting a specific diagnosis.</style></abstract></record></records></xml>