Diagnostic and predictive value of the lupus band test in undifferentiated connective tissue disease. A followup study.
The value of the lupus band test (LBT) in predicting outcome of patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (CTD) was studied. Thirty-three patients with undifferentiated CTD who had LBT between 1977 and 1982 underwent repeat clinical and serological assessments and LBT at 13 to 59 months followup. Six patients (18%) developed SLE, and 2 (6%) developed rheumatoid arthritis during the followup period. No single, combination, number, or intensity of proteins at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) or epidermal nuclear staining (ENS) could be used to predict which undifferentiated CTD patients would develop SLE at followup. Findings on LBT were not significantly different in patients with undifferentiated CTD versus SLE.
D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
D003176:Complement C3; D007136:Immunoglobulins