The validity of the ECLAM index for the retrospective evaluation of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim: To determine whether the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement Index (ECLAM) can be used to evaluate disease activity in patients retrosp ectively from the data provided in their clinical charts. Methods: The ECLAM score was calculated twice in a series of 64 consecutive SLE patients: first for each patient during the course of a standard clini cal evaluation (direct-ECLAM), and then one to two weeks later solely on th e basis of the data provided in the patient's clinical chart (chart-ECLAM). The scorings for each patient were performed by two different assessors. Results: The direct-ECLAM and chart-ECLAM scores were highly correlated (Sp earman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.86). The regression line was not significantly different from the identity line (t-test). The Pearson's coef ficient was 0.88. The interobserver variability of the chart-ECLAM showed a low inter-rater variability. Conclusion: ECLAM could represent a valid and reliable instrument for the r etrospective analysis of disease activity in SLE patients.