Pattern on the antinuclear antibody-HEp-2 test is a critical parameter for discriminating antinuclear antibody-positive healthy individuals and patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases

In 918 healthy individuals and 153 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, the ANA-HEp-2 pattern profile differed sharply: nuclear homogeneous, coarse speckled, and centromeric patterns occurred exclusively in ARD patients, while the dense fine speckled pattern occurred only in healthy individuals. Candidate notes: ANA present in 118/918 healthy individuals (12.9%) and 138/153 ARD patients (90.2%) Nuclear homogeneous, coarse speckled, and centromeric patterns appeared exclusively in ARD patients; dense fine speckled pattern only in healthy individuals None of 40 reevaluated healthy ANA-positive individuals developed ARDs after 3.6-5.0 years; 29/40 (72.5%) remained ANA positive Limits noted in the record: Retrospective data retrieval at a single Brazilian center Only 40 healthy ANA-positive individuals were reevaluated, over a relatively short 3.6-5.0 year window 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.

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