Antinuclear antibodies in dermatology

Antinuclear antibodies are used in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with connective tissue diseases. The study of antinuclear antibodies has a lso fundamentally expanded our understanding of nuclear anatomy and functio n. This article reviews the clinically relevant antinuclear antibodies and their disease associations. Developing an understanding of the utilities an d limitations of antinuclear antibodies is essential to providing the exper t diagnoses prognoses, and core expected of a dermatologist. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.