AUTOANTIBODIES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMA TOSUS

The diagnostic role of autoantibodies in SLE differs according to whet her they are used to establish the suspected diagnosis or to monitor t he course of the disease. At first suspicion of SLE, tests for antinuc lear antibodies (ANA) must be carried out. If the ANA test is positive , further specification is required. if the ANA test is negative, SLE can usually be ruled out, since seronegative SLE is extremely rare. If despite a negative ANA test there is compelling clinical evidence of SLE, additional determination of anti-Ro- and anti-ds DNA-antibodies i s indicated. Disease course can be monitored using anti-dsDNA-antibody levels in combination with complement C3 and C4 concentrations or CH5 0. In severe SLE, this should be done at short (4 week) intervals. If a patient is positive for other antibodies known to be associated with disease activity, these antibodies can be monitored individually. Mos t patients retain a stable antibody pattern, so close monitoring of th e entire antibody spectrum is not necessary. 6 months to yearly interv als between tests are usually sufficient.