[Clinical diagnostic strategy in rheumatology].

The diagnosis of rheumatic diseases should follow a pattern of stages, the first comprising family case history, the case history of the patient and basic physical examinations. The second stage should include X-ray examination and basic or, if necessary, more extensive laboratory tests and simple synovia analysis. The third stage would then incorporate articular biopsy, arthroscopy, different biopsies outside the joint, isotope examination, electromyography, thermography, arthrosonography, computed tomography etc. Allowance should be made in this connection for the diagnostic criteria established by different specialist bodies and the different degrees of diagnostic safety involved. While computerized diagnostic systems for rheumatic diseases can be of great help to the GP, they will never be as successful as the experienced rheumatologist.