Interpretation of immunological tests for rheumatic diseases.

Rheumatic diseases have been classified on the basis of clinical features, into different groups. Recently, understanding of immunological changes has further clarified different forms of rheumatic diseases and with different laboratory tests, the clinical diagnosis can be confirmed. These tests primarily detect different antibodies, either directed toward different constituents of body and body fluids, or towards exogenous antigens. With the new knowledge of tissue antigens, it has become possible to predict susceptibility of normal individuals to certain rheumatic diseases.