Fig 1. Evaluation of the contribution of different laboratory steps in the diagnosis definition.

Four different successive laboratory assessment steps are considered. The progress in the diagnostic definition of the patients according to each step is shown. After the first and second steps, the multimeric analysis (MA) was of great significance in the diagnosis definition of 83 additional patients. Moreover, MA was in agreement with the diagnostic definition accomplished in steps 1 and 2 (179 patients). Finally, MA was also in agreement with the diagnostic definition achieved by molecular analysis in 186 additional patients. Thus, MA contributed to the diagnosis definition in a total of 448 (93.3%) patients.