Antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Autoantibodies to the three extractable nuclear antigens (ENA),Anti·SSA (Ro), Anti-Srn, Anti·RNP and antinuclear antibodies were determined in 150 patients with SLE. Seventy patients (46.7%) had Anti-SSA (Ro), 40 (26.7%) Anti-Srn and 25 (16.7%) Anti-RNP antibodies. Ninety four percent patients had a positive Fluorescent anti-nuclear antibody (FANA) test. The commonest FANA pattern is the speckled pattern. Subclinical keratoconjunctivitis sicea (KCS) was present in 60% patients. No correlation could be demonstrated between the presence of ENA autoantibodies and the clinical features of patients.