Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)

ACR patient fact sheet explaining that ANA autoantibodies are common, a positive test is not a sure sign of autoimmune disease, and interpretation depends on clinical history. Notes high sensitivity of ANA for lupus but low post-test probability of disease among all positive results. Candidate notes: Negative ANA means no autoantibodies detected by the test; positive means autoantibodies are present but is not a sure sign of autoimmune disease. More than 95% of people with lupus test ANA-positive, so a negative test may help exclude lupus. Only about 11-13% of people with a positive ANA actually have lupus or another autoimmune/connective tissue disease. Up to 15% of completely healthy people have a positive ANA; ANA positivity increases with age over 65. Some labs report titers above 1:160 as positive; clinicians interpret results based on clinical history. Medications, viruses, and conditions such as cancer can cause positive ANA. Limits noted in the record: Patient-oriented summary; updated February 2025 by ACR communications review. 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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