title: Long-term follow-up of 46 patients with anti-(U1)snRNP antibodies.
abstract: The records of 46 patients with anti-(U1)snRNP antibodies and a minimal period of follow-up after first clinical presentation of at least 5 yr were examined with emphasis on symptoms contributing to established criteria of SLE, systemic sclerosis (SSc), RA or dermato- or polymyositis (DM/PM). At first clinical presentation 13 (28%) of the 46 patients studied fulfilled ARA-criteria for SLE (n = 10), RA (n = 2) and SSc (n = 1), and 33 (72%) were classified as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). During follow-up 18 patients initially classified as MCTD were now classified as SLE (n = 5), SSc (n = 7), RA (n = 3), or a combination of these disorders (n = 3). A transformation of MCTD towards these connective tissue diseases occurred 2.6 +/- 3 yr (mean +/- S.D.) after first clinical presentation. At the end of the follow-up period 67% of the patients fulfilled ARA criteria for SLE, SSc, RA or a combination of these diseases. The majority of patients with anti-(U1)snRNP antibodies have or will develop a classified connective tissue disease within 5 yr after clinical presentation. This undermines the concept of MCTD being a distinct clinical entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: van den Hoogen
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Spronk
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boerbooms
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bootsma
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: de Rooij
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Kallenberg
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van de Putte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000906:Antibodies; D017412:Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear