Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that are usually detected by indirect immunofluorescence and are directed against components of human and other mammalian cell nuclei. Between January 1982 and December 1984, we retrospectively reviewed the re...
Antinuclear antibodies are autoantibodies that are usually detected by indirect immunofluorescence and are directed against components of human and other mammalian cell nuclei. Between January 1982 and December 1984, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 238 patients with a positive ANA test. The following results were obtained from this review. 1) Among 238 ANA positive specimens, 98 (41.2%) were connective tissue disorders, 43 (18.0%) immune disorders and 97 (40.8%) other disorders. 2) Among 238 ANA positive specimens, 135 (57%) were low, 26 (11%) intermediate and 77 (32%) high titers. Sixty three of 98 (64.2%) sera from patients with connective tissue disorders and 44 of 53 (83%) sera from patients with SLE had ANA titers of 1:80 or more. Thirty two of 42 (74.4%) sera from patients with immune disorders and 68 of 97 (70.1%) sera from patients with other disorders had ANA titers of 1: 20.3) Among 238 ANA positive specimens, immunofluorescent patterns showed that 105 (44%) were homogeneous, 102 (43%) speckled, 13 (5.5%) mixed, 12 (5%) peripheral and 6(2.5%) nucleolar pattern. 4) In 53 SLE patients, 41 (77%) were high titers in ANA test and homogeneous and speckled patterns were 26 (55.5%) and 20 (37.7%) respectively. Thirty of 37 (81%) SLE patients had positive anti-DNA test and 16cases (43%) were high titers. 5) Nineteen patients (13.6%) of 140 nonrheumatic disorders showed high ANA titers. Among nine patients with idipathic thrombocytopenic purpura, three patients showed high ANA titers (1:160 1). In conclusion ANA test was useful to diagnose various rheumatic disease. Some nonrheumatic patients also revealed positive ANA test. ANA titers were high in rheumatic disorders, but some non-rheumatic patients with high ANA titers should be followed to look for evolving rheumatic disorders.