Prevalence and clinical profiles of 'autoantibody-negative' systemic sclerosis subjects

CER6409
2014 Vol.32, N°6 ,Suppl.86
PI 0127, PF 0132
Diagnosis

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PMID: 24144389 [PubMed]

Received: 01/03/2013
Accepted : 11/07/2013
In Press: 21/10/2013
Published: 04/11/2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To determine the prevalence of autoantibody negative systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to identify the clinical correlates thereof.
METHODS:
Clinical data and sera from 874 SSc subjects were collected and autoantibodies were tested in a central laboratory using 1) indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), 2) commercially available ELISA, addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA), and line immunoassay (LIA), and 3) a sensitive immunoprecipitation (IP) assay.
RESULTS:
Fifteen (15; 1.7%) subjects were autoantibody negative by IIF, ELISA, ALBIA, LIA and IP, and 16 (1.8%) were antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive by IIF but otherwise negative by ELISA, ALBIA, LIA and IP. Thirty-seven (37; 4.2%) were ANA positive by IIF, autoantibody negative by commercially available immunoassays, but had autoantibodies identified by IP (including Th/To in 20). Autoantibody-negative subjects had generally less severe disease than positive subjects.
CONCLUSIONS:
Autoantibody-negative SSc is rare (<2%) and appears to be associated with a favourable prognosis.