ANA test + & rheumatoid arthritis test -...what next? Posted: 11-10-06 00:01am
hello,my name is li ying,i come from
malaysia.I had donated blood and the
hospital called me for a blood test.I have
undergone 2 blood test.The doctor said
that my ANA test is positive and the
pattern is speckle.My rheumatoid arthritis
test is negative.What should i do now?I do
not have any symptoms of connective tissue
disease.Is it possible for me having ANA
positive and do not have lupus?I sincerely
hope that you can reply my email. thank
you very much!
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 16777211
Thanks: 14
Thanked:0
Lupus Answer A1842 Posted: 11-30-06 08:47am
Detection of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)
is only one of the 11 criteria given by
The American Rheumatoid Association for
diagnosing systemic lupus erithematosus
(SLE). You should have et least 4 of these
11 criteria to confirm SLE:
1. Malar rash (facial rash in the shape of
a butterfly);
2. Discoid lupus (disc-like rush with
hyperkeratosis and atrophy on the skin);
3. Photosensitivity (sensitivity to
light);
4. Painless ulcerations of the oral and
nasal mucosa;
5. Arthritis on 2 or more peripheral
joints;
6. Pleurisy or pericarditis;
7. Signs for renal failure (proteins in
the urine, erythrocytes and cellular
casts in the urinary sediment);
8. Neurological manifestations (psychoses
and /or convulsions);
9. Hematological disturbances (anemia,
leukopenia, lymphopenia,
thrombocytopenia);
10. Immunological reports
(anti-DNA-antibodies, anti-Sm-antibodies,
positive lupus band test of the skin,
LE-cells, false positive result for
syphilis(anti-cardiolipin-antibodies) ),
and
11. High titer of anti nuclear antibodies
(ANA)
ANA (the antibodies) are not specific for
SLE because it can be also found in:
drug-induced lupus, dermatomyositis,
polyarteritis nodosa, muscle inflammation
(myositis), Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic
liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis,
scleroderma, thyroid disease, etc.
You can appeal to a rheumatologist for a
physical examination and to request the
following tests that are more specific for
SLE: anti-DNA-antibodies,
anti-Sm-antibodies, positive lupus band
test of the skin, LE-cells, false positive
result for
syphilis(anti-cardiolipin-antibodies).
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Lupus Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
