Diagnostic significance of antinuclear antibodies in neurologic patients

• Published in: Acta neurologica Scandinavica Vol. 84; no. 2; p. 102
• Main Authors: Michielsens, B, Walravens, M, Vermylen, J, Carton, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01-08-1991
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Antinuclear - analysis; Antigen-Antibody Complex - analysis; Antigen-Antibody Complex - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - diagnosis; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; DNA - immunology; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor - analysis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - diagnosis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Nervous System Diseases - immunology; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0001-6314
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1991.tb04916.x

In a combined retrospective and prospective study, we tried to define the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and its clinical relevance in neurological patients. Three hundred twenty-seven neurological patients who had ANA determined because of suspicion of connective tissue disease (CTD), were retrospectively studied. Thirty (9.2%) were ANA positive, 20 (66%) of whom had CTD. Of 327 consecutively admitted patients, prospectively studied, 18 (5.5%) were ANA positive, 5 (28%) of whom had evidence of CTD. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was the most frequently diagnosed CTD. In a prospective study of 48 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, only 1 had detectable ANA at a dilution of 1:40. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) was prospectively detected in 2 patients but was not associated with a vascular or autoimmune systemic disease.