SLE

Question 1

SLE definition

Answer 1

• prototypic autoimmune disease with a diverse array of clinical manifestations, which is characterized by PRODUCTION OF AUTOANTIBODIES TO COMPONENTS OF THE CELL NUCLEUS
• Female to Male = 9:1

Question 2

Fluorescent ANA testing

Answer 2

• specificity of ANA is LOW
  
  • positive ANA rearely equates to SLE
• The value of the ANA lies in its SENSITIVITY
  
  • essentially 100% for lupus
  • if ANA is negative, you do NOT have SLE

Question 3

Anti ds-DNA

Answer 3

• Found in 30-60% SLE patients
• VERY SPECIFIC for SLE
  
  • ass with renal involvement
• waxes and wanes with disease activity

Question 4

Anti Sm (smith)

Answer 4

• quite specific for SLE
• positive in about 30% for SLE patients
• DOES NOT WAX AND WANE with disease activity