title: Organ-specific autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile dermatomyositis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To our knowledge, no study assessed simultaneously a variety of organ-specific autoantibodies and the prevalence of organ-specific autoimmune diseases in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate organ-specific autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases in JSLE and JDM patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one JSLE and 41 JDM patients were investigated for autoantibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), autoimmune thyroiditis (AT), autoimmune gastritis and coeliac disease (CD). Patients with positive antibodies were investigated for the respective organ-specific autoimmune diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age at diagnosis was higher in JSLE compared to JDM patients (10.3±3.4 vs. 7.3±3.1years, p=0.0001). The frequencies of organ-specific autoantibodies were similar in JSLE and JDM patients (p>0.05). Of note, a high prevalence of T1DM and AT autoantibodies was observed in both groups (20% vs. 15%, p=0.77 and 24% vs. 15%, p=0.41; respectively). Higher frequencies of ANA (93% vs. 59%, p=0.0006), anti-dsDNA (61% vs. 2%, p<0.0001), anti-Ro, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-La and IgG-aCL were observed in JSLE (p<0.05). Organ-specific autoimmune diseases were evidenced only in JSLE patients (24% vs. 0%, p=0.13). Two JSLE patients had T1DM associated with Hashimoto thyroiditis and another had subclinical thyroiditis. Another JSLE patient had CD diagnosis based on iron deficiency anaemia, anti-endomysial antibody, duodenal biopsy compatible to CD and response to a gluten-free diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Organ-specific diseases were observed solely in JSLE patients and required specific therapy. The presence of these antibodies recommends the evaluation of organ-specific diseases and a rigorous follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. nadia.aikawa@gmail.com
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Jesus
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liphaus
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carneiro-Sampaio
authors.forename: V S T
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: A M E
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sallum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies