PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - I E A Hoffman
AU  - I Peene
AU  - L Meheus
AU  - T W J Huizinga
AU  - L Cebecauer
AU  - D Isenberg
AU  - K De Bosschere
AU  - F Hulstaert
AU  - E M Veys
AU  - F De Keyser
TI  - Specific antinuclear antibodies are associated with clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus
AID  - 10.1136/ard.2003.013417
DP  - 2004 Sep 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 1155--1158
VI  - 63
IP  - 9
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/63/9/1155.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/63/9/1155.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2004 Sep 01; 63
AB  - Objectives: To study associations between antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and signs/symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods: A consecutive cohort of 289 patients with SLE was included; 235 fulfilled ACR criteria for SLE and were further analysed. ANA profiles were determined by line immunoassay and by indirect immunofluorescence on Crithidia luciliae. An extensive list of signs/symptoms was evaluated.Results: Five clusters of antibodies were defined by cluster analysis: 1—antibodies to SmB, SmD, RNP-A, RNP-C, and RNP-70k; 2—antibodies to Ro52, Ro60, and SSB; 3, 4, and 5—antibodies to ribosomal P, histones and dsDNA, respectively. Significant associations (p⩽0.01) were found between anti-RNP-70k, anti-RNP-A, anti-RNP-C and Raynaud’s phenomenon, between anti-RNP-A, anti-RNP-70k and leucopenia, and between anti-RNP-A, anti-RNP-C and a lower prevalence of urine cellular casts. Anti-SSA, anti-SSB were associated with xerostomia, and anti-SSB with pericarditis. Antibodies to ribosomal P were associated with haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, and alopecia. Patients with anti-dsDNA antibodies had a higher risk for cellular casts and a lower risk for photosensitivity. Antihistone antibodies were associated with arthritis.Conclusions: In a large and consecutive cohort of patients with SLE, clusters of antibodies were identified. Previously reported associations of antibodies with symptoms were confirmed and new associations found.