Antisynthetase syndrome-An underdiagnosed entity

Abstract

Anti-synthetase syndrome is an autoimmune disease, characterized by aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetase antibodies with clinical features that can include interstitial lung disease, myositis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and arthritis. There is a higher prevalence and increased severity of interstitial lung disease in patients with the anti-synthetase syndrome as compared to other inflammatory myopathies. Diagnosis is made by serological, radiographic, and muscle and/or lung biopsy results. Patients frequently require multi-modality immunosuppressive therapy to manage muscular and pulmonary manifestations of the disease. Careful attention is required to the adverse effects and complications of chronic immunosuppressive therapy, as well as to the disease complications which include progressive interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and malignancy. Increased awareness of this syndrome will allow for early diagnosis and treatment improving outcomes in patients.