Comparison of autoantibody specificities between traditional and bead‐based assays in a large, diverse collection of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and family members

摘要: Diverse clinical presentations of SLE create significant diagnostic difficulties. However, the common feature autoantibodies has been shown to associate with select features (1). Previous work found that are often present in patient sera years before diagnosis and prior their associated symptoms (2, 3). Detection contributes classification (4, 5), some may be used monitor potential for disease flare (6, 7). Prevalence varies among self-reported ethnic groups. Compared European-Americans (EA), African-American (AA) patients have a higher prevalence targeting Sm nRNP proteins (8–11). Autoantibody cluster analysis provides additional information about symptom associations or genetic risk; however, studies date either relatively small cohorts (12–15) use historical antibody data measured by variety detection methods (16). A few examining blood relatives low levels specific were detectable clinically healthy (17–19). Although remain paramount lupus management, specificities vary significantly between available assays. To date, detailed evaluations newer methodologies large multi-ethnic control collections incomplete. Historical immunofluorescence immunodiffusion autoantibody testing require specially trained laboratory personnel becoming less many US markets. Based on variability across within methods, it difficult consistently accurately measure diverse cohorts. Questions number would potentially missed based upon fewer methodologies; frequency different races; if family members rates when using these methods. Our primary objective was examine prevalence, specificity, clustering aggregation cohort patients, unaffected relatives, controls. Additionally, we sought compare anti-nuclear (ANA) results multiplex bead assay classical (indirect immunodiffusion) cohort.