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Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases logoLink to Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
. 2004 Sep;63(9):1155–1158. doi: 10.1136/ard.2003.013417

Specific antinuclear antibodies are associated with clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus

I Hoffman 1, I Peene 1, L Meheus 1, T Huizinga 1, L Cebecauer 1, D Isenberg 1, K De Bosschere 1, F Hulstaert 1, E Veys 1, F De Keyser 1
PMCID: PMC1755119  PMID: 15308527

Abstract

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.

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Figure 1.

Figure 1

 Cluster analysis, identifying clusters of autoantibodies (dendrogram). The scale indicates the distance level between the different variables. Two clusters of autoantibodies are formed early: cluster 1 is formed by RNP-70, RNP-A, SmB, RNP-C, and SmD; cluster 2 is formed by Ro52, SSB, and Ro60; while the other antibodies do not cluster early and are therefore considered to be a cluster by themselves: cluster 3 consists of ribosomal P, cluster 4 consists of histones, and cluster 5 consists of dsDNA.


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