title: International multicenter evaluation of autoantibodies to ribosomal P proteins.
abstract: Autoantibodies to the ribosomal phosphoproteins (Rib-P) are a serological feature of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The reported prevalence of anti-Rib-P antibodies in SLE ranges from 10 to 40%, being higher in Asian patients. The variation in the observed frequency may be related to a number of factors but is dependent in large part on the test system used to detect the autoantibodies. An association of anti-Rib-P with central nervous system involvement and neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE has been controversial. In the present international multicenter study, we evaluated the clinical accuracy of a new sensitive Rib-P-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on recombinant Rib-P polypeptides. The results showed that 21.3% of 947 SLE patients, but only 0.7% of 1,113 control patients, had a positive test result (P < 0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic efficiency were determined to be 21.3%, 99.3%, 95.6%, 62.2%, and 65.3%, respectively. When evaluated in the context of participating centers, the prevalence of anti-Rib-P antibodies was found in descending frequency, as follows: China (35%) > Poland (34%) > Japan (28%) > United States (26%) > Germany (Freiburg; 23.3%) > Denmark (20.5%) > Germany (Berlin; 19%) > Mexico (15.7%) > Israel (11.7%) > Brazil (10%) > Canada (8%). The substantial data from this study indicate that the prevalence of anti-Rib-P antibodies may not be restricted to the genetic background of the patients or to the detection system but may depend on regional practice differences and patient selection. We confirm previously reported associations of antiribosomal antibodies with clinical symptoms and serological findings. Remarkably, we found a lower occurrence of serositis in Rib-P-positive lupus patients.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Fooke Laboratorien GmbH, Mainstr. 85, 41469 Neuss, Germany. m.mahler.job@web.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kessenbrock
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szmyrka
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takasaki
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garcia-De La Torre
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hiepe
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shun-le
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: von Mühlen
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Locht
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Höpfl
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiik
authors.forename: Westley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Marvin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fritzler
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D003710:Demography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins