In vivo antinuclear antibody of the skin: diagnostic significance and association with selective antinuclear antibodies

Article Abstract:

Antibodies to nuclei of cells in the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, are found in patients with various systemic connective tissue disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, dermatomyositis, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. To see if the presence of these antinuclear antibodies in the skin could be used for the diagnosis of connective tissue disorders, skin biopsies from 315 patients with connective tissue diseases and 1,651 subjects with various other diseases were examined. In 88 percent of the cases, connective tissue disorders could be predicted by the presence of antibodies to the nuclei against the cells of the skin. The antinuclear antibodies did not, however, discriminate between the various connective tissue disorders, with the exception of SLE, in which the antinuclear antibodies formed a distinct homogenous and thready pattern. The presence of specific antinuclear antibodies in the blood serum is a better diagnostic criterion for discriminating between the different connective tissue disorders. The antinuclear antibodies in the skin reacted with nucleoproteins but not the genetic material, DNA. Antibodies against both nucleoproteins and DNA are often found in the blood of patients with connective tissue disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Diagnosis, Autoantibodies, Autoimmune diseases, Connective tissue diseases, Epidermis, Antinuclear antibodies

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Hydroxychloroquine treatment for primary Sjogren's syndrome: a two year blind crossover trial

Article Abstract:

Hydroxychloroquine may not be an effective treatment for patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is a disorder that affects the salivary glands and the tear ducts. Eight patients with Sjogren's syndrome were treated with 400 milligrams of hydroxychloroquine per day for one year followed by treatment with a placebo, or inactive substance, for one year. Seven other patients were treated with a placebo for a year followed by one year of treatment with the same dosage of hydroxychloroquine. Blood levels of immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin M declined during treatment with hydroxychloroquine compared to the placebo. No significant difference was found in erythrocyte (red blood cell) sedimentation rate between the two treatments. However, treatment with hydroxychloroquine did not cause any significant change in salivary gland or tear duct activity.

Drug therapy, Sjogren's syndrome, Hydroxychloroquine

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Patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and venous thrombosis should receive long term anticoagulant treatment

Article Abstract:

Long-term treatment with anticoagulants may prevent venous thrombosis in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies who have had recurrent episodes. Venous thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot in a vein. Antiphospholipid antibodies are a diagnostic marker for antiphospholipid syndrome, a disorder characterized by an increased risk of blood clot formation. Among 19 patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and a history of venous thrombosis, 34 episodes occurred. Seven patients had a single episode, and 12 had recurrent episodes. Treatment with anticoagulants increased the probability of survival without an episode of venous thrombosis. A major bleeding occurred in two patients during treatment with anticoagulants.

Prevention, Physiological aspects, Anticoagulants (Medicine), Anticoagulants, Thrombophlebitis, Antiphospholipid antibodies

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