title: Changes in anti-U1 RNA antibody levels correlate with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate correlations between changes in anti-U1 RNA antibody levels and disease activity in 9 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome who were prospectively followed up for at least 3 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-U1 RNA antibody levels were measured quantitatively, using a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. Disease activity was measured with a validated SLE activity index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 9 major disease exacerbations were associated with peaks in anti-U1 RNA antibody level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results seem to indicate that measuring anti-U1 RNA antibody levels can be useful for monitoring disease activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hoet
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koornneef
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: de Rooij
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van de Putte
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: van Venrooij
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology*; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D000939:Epitopes; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear; D012313:RNA