Trigger assay for differentiating between rheumatic and non-rheumatic disorders

摘要

The present invention provides for a method for excluding a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject comprising determining as to whether at least one autoantibody or antigen which is indicative for at least one rheumatic disorder is present in a sample obtained from the subject, wherein the presence of said autoantibody or antigen allows to exclude a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject. Accordingly, it provides for a method that triggers the next steps in diagnosing the cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject - either further diagnosis of a rheumatic disorder or of a non-rheumatic disorder to confirm the initial diagnosis. Also provided is a kit for excluding a non-rheumatic disorder as cause of a musculoskeletal complaint of a subject as well as uses of the kit.