ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODIES IN HEALTHY AGING PEOPLE - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

In order to evaluate the expression of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in normal elderly individuals over time and clinical significance, a cro ss-sectional ANA testing in healthy Japanese was performed, followed b y annual evaluations of ANA positive aged (greater than or equal to 65 years) and a control group. ANA was more prevalent in the aged (11.4% vs. 3.8%) and most were persistent after 4 years. Anti-ssDNA and anti -histone antibodies were increased in aged ANA positive as compared to ANA negative controls. Except for a history of spontaneous abortion, there was no differences in clinical findings. HLA DRB10901 and the D QB10602 + 0302 + 0303 set of alleles were increased in ANA positive. Therefore, ANA in the aged were persistent, apparently directed toward chromatin elements, and shared MHC associations with autoimmune disea ses. Longer follow-up may be necessary to improve the evaluation of cl inical significance of ANA in the aged.