title: Frequency and clinical significance of anti-RNP antibodies in Italian SLE patients.
abstract: The frequency and clinical significance of anti-RNP antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are still a matter of debate. In this study we report our experience with a series of 123 unselected Italian patients (93 adults and 30 children) suffering from SLE according to the ARA criteria. Anti-RNP were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in 25 patients (20%), 19 of whom did not show other antibodies to extractable antigens (isolated RNP). Our study shows a striking association between anti-RNP and arthritis as well as between anti-RNP and Raynaud's phenomenon. In addition, we found an association between anti-RNP and lack of renal involvement. This association was limited to those patients with isolated RNP and was independent of the presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies. These data were confirmed by a 50 month follow-up study.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Patologia Medica, Policlinico S. Matteo, Università degli Studi di Pavia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montecucco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caporali
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ronchetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Notario
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins