Autoantibodies in patients with silicone implants.
We assessed the prevalence of autoantibodies in women with silicone implants and controls. Five hundred consecutive patients with silicone implants, 25 age-matched normal women, 25 women with silicone implants and no rheumatic symptoms, and 100 women with fibromyalgia were tested. Immunofluorescence antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were performed using HEp-2 cells. Subtype autoantibodies were performed by enzyme-linked immunoassay and Western blot. ANA tests were positive in 30% of patients with silicone implants and rheumatic symptoms, 8% of age-matched normal women, 28% of women with silicone implants without clinical symptoms, and 25% of women with fibromyalgia and no silicone implants. The predominant ANA pattern was speckled (55%). ANA subtype testing was positive in 4.8% of patients and none of the controls. We conclude that a larger proportion of women with silicone implants have autoantibodies compared to age-matched asymptomatic women suggesting immune activation in women with silicone implants.
Bridges
A J
AJ
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison 53705, USA.
Anderson
J D
JD
Burns
D E
DE
Kemple
K
K
Kaplan
J D
JD
Lorden
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D012828:Silicones