Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Measures
British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG), European Consensus Lupus
Activity Measurement (ECLAM), Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM),
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Measure (SLEDAI), and
Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of
Rheumatology-Damage Index (SLICC/ACR-DI; SDI)
Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman
1
and David A. Isenberg
2
BRITISH ISLES LUPUS ASSESSMENT
GROUP (BILAG)
General Description
Purpose. To assess lupus activity based upon
premise of “intention to treat.”
Content. Specific manifestations in 8
organs/systems.
Developer/contact information. The BILAG
Group: Current chair of the BILAG group is
Professor Isenberg, Center for Rheumatology, The
Middlesex Hospital, Arthur Stanley House, 40-50
Tottenham Street, London W1T 4NJ, UK.
Versions. English only. Paper or computer
version.
Number of items in scale. 86.
Subscales. Lupus activity is divided into 8
organs/systems, with varying numbers of items in
each.
Populations. Developmental/target. The measure
was developed and validated specifically for
patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Other uses. None.
WHO ICF Components. Not applicable.
Administration
Method. A rating completed by the doctor or as
part of the British Lupus Integrated Program
(BLIPs) software program. The computer version is
available from Gordon Hamilton, E-mail:
LIMATHON@aol.com.
Training. Appreciation of the concept is needed.
Some advice from a member of the BILAG or
Systemic Lupus International Collaborations
Clinics (SLICC) Group (current list is available
from Professor Isenberg) is suggested; (Center for
Rheumatology, The Middlesex Hospital, Arthur
Stanley House, 40-50 Tottenham Street, London
W1T 4 NJ, UK).
Time to administer/complete. A complete
history and physical examination is needed. To
complete the form in an essentially well patient
with a short history takes less than 5 minutes. For
a complex patient not well known to the physician
it can take up to 20 minutes. For most patients less
than 5– 8 minutes.
Equipment needed. None.
Cost/availability. See Reference 1. No cost to use
(unless the computerized version is needed, the
cost then depends upon type of usage
(commercial/academic).
Dr. Ramsey-Goldman is supported by NIH/NIAMS P60-
AR48098 and K24-AR02138, Arthritis Foundation Clinical
Science Grant, Arthritis Foundation Greater Chicago Chap-
ter, and Lupus Foundation of Illinois. Dr. Isenberg is cur-
rently funded by a program grant from the Arthritis Re-
search Campaign, UK.
1
Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, MD, DrPH: Northwestern
University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois;
2
David A. Isenberg, MD, FRCP: University College London,
UK.
Address correspondence to Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman,
MD, DrPH, Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University,
Feinberg School of Medicine, Arthritis, Ward 3-315, 303 E.
Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. E-mail: rgramsey@
northwestern.edu.
Submitted April 23, 2003; accepted April 24, 2003.
Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research)
Vol. 49, No. 5S, October 15, 2003, pp S225–S233
DOI 10.1002/art.11402
© 2003, American College of Rheumatology
DISEASE-SPECIFIC MEASURES
S225