Increasing Prevalence of Antinuclear Antibodies in the United States

NHANES-based study of 14,211 US participants age 12 and older across three time periods (1988-1991, 1999-2004, 2011-2012) found ANA prevalence rose from 11.0% to 11.5% to 15.9%, corresponding to about 41 million ANA-positive Americans in 2011-2012. Candidate notes: ANA prevalence 11.0% (1988-1991), 11.5% (1999-2004), 15.9% (2011-2012), P for trend <0.0001 Adolescents age 12-19: odds ratios 2.02 and 2.88 vs first period; sharpest increases also in men, adults 50+, and non-Hispanic whites ~22 million, ~27 million, ~41 million affected individuals in the three periods Limits noted in the record: Cross-sectional survey design at each time point: associations reported, not causal claims Increases not explained by concurrent measured trends in obesity, smoking exposure, or alcohol consumption A positive ANA is not a diagnosis. Claims in this record are not verified.

A positive ANA is not a diagnosis. Claims in this record are not verified.

source