RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The clinical significance of antinucleolar antibodies
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 283
OP 286
DO 10.1136/jcp.2007.049692
VO 61
IS 3
A1 S Khan
A1 A Alvi
A1 S Holding
A1 M L Kemp
A1 D Raine
A1 P C Doré
A1 W A C Sewell
YR 2008
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/61/3/283.abstract
AB Background: The importance of antinucleolar antibodies seen by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells, although associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), in unselected patients is unknown.Aims: To determine the true clinical significance of antinucleolar antibodies in an unselected patient population.Methods: Antinucleolar antibody (ANoA) positive samples were identified in the immunology laboratory during routine autoimmune screening tests; case notes were reviewed using a standard proforma.Results: 104 patients with ANoA were identified and ANoA+ samples were subclassified into homogeneous, clumpy and speckled antinucleolar types. SSc was evident in only two (1.8%) patients. Other connective tissue diseases were identified in 33 patients (32%); 22 patients (21%) had evidence of various malignancies. Both disordered liver function and anaemia were seen in 22 patients and were the commonest laboratory abnormalities.Conclusions: Neither the presence nor subtype of ANoA is specific for systemic sclerosis. Laboratory comments appended to results should reflect this fact.