A study of Anti Nuclear Antibody (ANA) in collagen vascular diseases

Background: The diagnosis of collagen vascular disease is based on clinical, serological and histological findings. The classical ANA indirect immunofluorescence assay is the most efficient screening test for LE. Aim and objectives: To study ANA profile in various collagen vascular diseases. Materials and methods: A study was conducted in 170 clinically confirmed cases of collagen vascular diseases during 2010-2012. A thorough clinical examination was carried out and baseline investigations were done. All the patients were subjected to complete ANA profile. Patients were followed up regularly in department of dermatology. Results: Majority of the patients (55%) in our study were those of lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis (30%). The study revealed that 92% patients of SLE, 90% of MCTD, 85% of systemic sclerosis and 50% each of dermatomyositis and overlap syndromes showed ANA positivity. 77.14% and 42.85% patients of SLE showed anti Ds DNA and anti Ro 52 positivity respectively. Anti scl 70 positivity was seen in 75% patients of systemic sclerosis. All patients of MCTD tested positive anti u1 RNP. Conclusion: ANA profile correlated very well with clinical manifestations in majority of patients in this study.