The Consensus Workshops for the Detection of Autoantibodies to Intracellular Antigens in Rheumatic Diseases: 1989-1992.

: The European Consensus Study Group for Autoantibodies was formed in 1988 to examine test systems for the detection of autoantibodies found in patients with rheumatic and related conditions. In the last four years it has organised an annual exercise to examine the sensitivity and reproducibility of different methodologies for the detection of these antibodies, and the concordance obtained between leading laboratories in Europe. The results of these exercises show an improvement in detection rates. In addition, the group has produced a methodology handbook, containing recommended methods as used by expert laboratories, and has made recommendations on the performance of assays for the detection of autoantibodies.