THE LEVELS OF 15 SLE ASSOCIATED AUTOANTIBODIES IN SERUM AND THEIR CLINICAL VALUES

Abstract

Objective: To explore the levels of 15 SLE-associated autoantibodies in serum samples from 71 healthy individuals and 20 new SLE patients, and to discuss their clinical values for SLE. Methods: 15 SLE-associated autoantibodies were detected in serum of 71 healthy individuals and 20 new SLE patients by ELISA methods. General information and clinical information were collected. The 32 controls were selected from the healthy individuals. The levels of each autoantibody in each group and their correlations were described, the clinical roles of the autoantibodies were analysed, while their roles for SLE diagnosis were discussed. Results: In the normal group, at least one autoantibodies were detected positive in 10 individuals(14.1%), the positive numbers of anti-ssDNA and anti-β2GP1 were the highest. The OD450 of anti-MPO in males were higher than that in females; significant differences were found for AHA and other 5 autoantibodies among different age groups. Positive rank correlation were found between 24 autoantibodies pairs, and negative rank correlation between 3. In the case group, 0 to 8 auantibodies were detected positive for a same patient, 4 auantibodies were negative. The anti-ssDNA's positive rate (85%) was the highest, there were positive rank correlation between the autoantibodies in 19 pairs. Positive rank correlation were found between the number of positive autoantibodies and disease duration. There were significant associations of rRNP with photaesthesia and of AHA with nephritis. When the early appearance of clinical manifestation was analysed, there were significant associations of AnuA with discoid erythema and of anti-U1RNP with photaesthesia and of anti-Sm with nephritis and of anti-β2GP1 with other clinical manifestations. There were no significant difference of anti-centromeres and anti-β2GP1 between the case and control group. For the autoantibodies clinical value, the sensitivities of anti-ssDNA and other three autoantibodies were high, the specificities of AHA and other nine autoantibodies were high. While the Youden's index of anti-ssDNA being highest. The strength of agreement comparison for diagnosis were high in anti-dsDNA and AnuA and other four autoantibodies pairs. The AUCROC of anti-U1RNP was the highest, while 13 autoantibodies were effective for the diagnosis for SLE expect for ACA and anti-β2GP1. As for the antibody combinations, the anti-centromeres were frequently involved in the establishes functions which coincidence were high. 5 autoantibodies were involved in the stepwise establishes functions with coincidence being 96.7%. Conclusions: These autoantibodies were rarely detected in the normal group, there were significant differences between different age and gender groups for these autoantibodies. There were positive correlations between most of the autoantibodies pairs. The levels of 13 autoantibodies in the case group were significantly greater than that in the control group. Most of the autoantibodies were related with the specified clinical manifestations for SLE. 13 autoantibodies were effective for the diagnosis for SLE. Anti-U1RNP and anti-centromeres were important for the diagnosis for SLE. The coincidence of the stepwise establishes functions was high.