J Rheumatol
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Review Comparative Study
Validity aspects of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in ankylosing spondylitis: a literature review.
The preliminary core set for endpoints in disease controlling antirheumatic therapy includes acute phase reactants. The objective of this clinically oriented literature review was to examine and compare the validity of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) clinical trials. A MEDLINE search was performed covering the years 1967 through April 1998. ⋯ Their worth in AS clinical trials is limited. Based on the currently existing data neither measure is clearly superior in terms of validity. When selecting an acute phase reactant, feasibility aspects may be most relevant in choice of measure.