SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTI-RO(SS-A) ANTIBODY IN EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF A CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE

The anti-Ro(SS-A) antibody is arguably the most important antibody det ermination except for antinuclear antibodies in evaluation of patients suspected of having lupus erythematosus. During the past 25 years, st udies have established the importance of this antibody in the evaluati on of patients with atypical lupus erythematosus, who have a photosens itive dermatitis as the presenting sign. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the utility and the necessity of this antibody determi nation in the evaluation of all patients with cutaneous manifestations who are suspected of having a connective tissue disease.