title: Antinuclear antibodies in healthy aging people: a prospective study.
abstract: In order to evaluate the expression of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in normal elderly individuals over time and clinical significance, a cross-sectional ANA testing in healthy Japanese was performed, followed by annual evaluations of ANA positive aged (> or = 65 years) and a control group. ANA was more prevalent in the aged (11.4% vs. 3.8%) and most were persistent after 4 years. Anti-ssDNA and anti-histone antibodies were increased in aged ANA positive as compared to ANA negative controls. Except for a history of spontaneous abortion, there was no differences in clinical findings. HLA DRB1*0901 and the DQB1*0602 + 0302 + 0303 set of alleles were increased in ANA positive. Therefore, ANA in the aged were persistent, apparently directed toward chromatin elements, and shared MHC associations with autoimmune diseases. Longer follow-up may be necessary to improve the evaluation of clinical significance of ANA in the aged.
authors.affiliation: Third Division of Internal Medicine, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanigawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishikura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsunematsu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015342:DNA Probes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M