Numerical scoring for the BILAG-2004 index

Abstract

Objective. To develop an additive numerical scoring scheme for the BILAG-2004 index.Methods. SLE patients were recruited into this multi-centre cross-sectional study. At every assessment, data were collected on disease activity and therapy. Logistic regression was used to model an increase in therapy, as an indicator of active disease, by the BILAG-2004 index score in the nine systems. As both indicate inactivity, scores of D and E were set to 0 and used as the baseline in the fitted model. The models were used to determine the numerical values for Grades A–C. Different scoring schemes were compared.Results. There were 1510 assessments from 369 SLE patients. The coding schemes suggested for the Classic BILAG index (A = 12, B = 5, C = 1, D/E = 0 and A = 9, B = 3, C = 1, D/E = 0) did not fit the data well. A coding scheme (A = 12, B = 8, C = 1 and D/E = 0) was recommended, based on analysis results and consistency with the numerical coding scheme of the Classic BILAG index.Conclusion. A reasonable additive numerical scoring scheme based on treatment decision for the BILAG-2004 index is A = 12, B = 8, C = 1, D = 0 and E = 0.

Sensitivity to Change and Minimal Important Differences of the LupusQoL in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…The inclusion criteria were fulfillment of ≥4 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE 13, 14, ages ≥16 years, literate ability in the English language, willingness to give written informed consent, and a flare of SLE requiring specific treatment. A flare was defined as a significant increase in disease activity, resulting in a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group 2004 (BILAG‐2004) index A or B score, based on criteria that are new or worse 15, 16, 17. To be included in this study, patients had to require an increase in therapy defined as ≥1 of the following: an increase of oral prednisolone to ≥20 mg/day, introduction of methotrexate, parenteral methylprednisolone, and/or other immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide, rituximab).…”

Study of Flare Assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Paper Patients

“…Each pair was assigned to use 1 of the 3 flare assessment instruments: the BILAG 2004 index 12 (6 pairs), the SFI 13 (6 pairs), and the rSFI 9 (6 pairs). Full details of the flare instruments are shown in Supplementary Appendices [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link] (available on the Arthritis Care & Research web site at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.23252/abstract).…”

A Brief Comment On The Treatment Of Internal Hemorrhoids By Rubber Band Ligation Combined With Sclerotherapy

“…For instance, SLEDAI-2K [15] and European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement index (ECLAM) [40] include proteinuria as a renal disease activity marker with a 24H-P > 0.5 g/day. In BILAG-2004, the proteinuria is graded differently based on its amount (A [active disease] = > 1.0 g/day; B [beware] = > 0.5 g/day, C [contentment] = > 0.25 g/day) and it can be obtained from a 24H-P or a PCR [41]. The SLE Activity Index Score (SIS) divides proteinuria based on the cut off of 1.5 g/d and gives 1 or 2 points respectively for the final score as follows: 1 point for 24H-P < 1.5 g/day and 2 points for 24H-P > 1.5 g/day [42].…”