Detailled Information

Isenberg DA, Rahman A, Allen E, et al. BILAG 2004. Development and initial validation of an updated version of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group's disease activity index for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005 Jul;44(7):902-6

Development and assessment of a computerized index of clinical disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Members of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)

Numerical scoring for the BILAG-2004 index

Measures of Adult Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Disease Activity and Damage

The BILAG 2004 index is a transitional score to assess organ‐/system‐based activity due to lupus based on the physician's intent‐to‐treat premise. The BILAG 2004 index is a revision of the classic BILAG index published in 1988.

This index comprises specific manifestations across nine organs/systems: constitutional, mucocutaneous, neuropsychiatric, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, renal, and hematological.

The BILAG 2004 index is completed by the physician and requires additional training on use of the glossary items and scoring scheme.

Each item is scored as either ND or from 0 to 4. Scores are then converted into alphabetical scores (A‐E) for each system either through a computerized system or manually after training. Being category A (for activity): severe disease activity requiring systemic high‐dose oral glucocorticoids, systemic immunomodulators, or high‐dose anticoagulation; category B (for beware): moderate disease activity requiring systemic low‐dose oral glucocorticoids, intramuscular/intraarticular or soft tissue glucocorticoid injection, or topical glucocorticoids, topical immunomodulators, or antimalarials; and categories C (for contentment], D (for discount), and E (for never, ever active): mild disease, inactive disease but previously affected, and system never involved, respectively.