Re-evaluation of the Anti-streptolysin O Test for Systemic Rheumatic Diseases
Laboratory Medicine Online
;
: 153-157, 2011.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-89630
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) test is usually used to diagnose group A streptococcal infection-related diseases, such as rheumatic fever, reactive arthritis, and various infectious diseases. Despite the recent declining incidence of these diseases, ASO test is still frequently performed as a screening test to diagnose rheumatic diseases. This study re-evaluated the clinical usefulness of ASO test in systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD).METHODS:
ASO tests was performed in 825 patients between April and October in 2010. ASO levels were compared between SRD and non-SRD groups of patients. The results of ASO, C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were compared among 6 subgroups of SRD rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, Behcet disease, Sjogren's syndrome and others.RESULTS:
Positive results in ASO test (>200 IU/mL) were observed in 15.3% (126/825) of the patients tested. None of the ASO positive patients was, however, diagnosed with rheumatic fever or reactive arthritis. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean value (P=0.688) or positive rate (P=0.835) of ASO test between SRD and non-SRD groups. Positive rates of ASO test were also not statistically significant different among six subgroups of SRD patients (all P>0.05), whereas those of CRP and RF tests were significantly different.CONCLUSIONS:
The usefulness of ASO test is very low for diagnosing SRD, although it is frequently carried out as a screening test. We suggest that ASO test must be performed selectively when diseases from group A streptococcal infection are suspected.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
/
Rheumatic Fever
/
Rheumatoid Factor
/
Spondylitis, Ankylosing
/
Streptococcal Infections
/
C-Reactive Protein
/
Sjogren's Syndrome
/
Mass Screening
/
Behcet Syndrome
/
Rheumatic Diseases
Type of study:
Incidence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Screening study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Laboratory Medicine Online
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
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