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Diagnostic accuracy and predictive value of autoantibody profiles in patients with systemic sclerosis: a single-center study

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Abstract

Objective

To determine diagnostic accuracy and evaluate the predictive value of autoantibody profiles in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

A total of 140 patients with SSc (125 female, mean age 54.2 ± 14.2 years) were analyzed by a multiplex line immunoassay (Euroimmun) for autoantibodies against 12 SSc-related antigens. Associations between the presence of the autoantibodies and demographic clinical manifestations of patients with SSc were investigated.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of this assay were as follows: 32.9% and 99.4% for anti-Scl-70, 29.3% and 88.9% for anti-CENP A, 28.6% and 87.8% for anti-CENP B, 7.1% and 97.8% for anti-RP11, 5.7% and 100% for anti-RP155, 2.9% and 99.4% for anti-NOR 90, 2.9% and 98.9% for anti-Th/To, 1.4% and 96.7% for anti-PM-Scl-100, 5.0% and 98.3% for anti-PM-Scl-75, and 2.9% and 97.2% for anti-Ku, respectively. Anti-Scl-70 was significantly associated with sine scleroderma (P = 0.003), digital ulcers (P = 0.047), and Raynaud’s phenomenon as the first clinical manifestation of onset (P = 0.017). SSc-ILD was more common in patients with anti-Scl-70 (P = 0.029) and less frequent in patients with anti-CENP A (P < 0.001) and anti-CENP B (P < 0.001). There was a significant association between PAH with anti-CENP A (P = 0.008) and anti-CENP B (P = 0.025). Renal involvement was significantly related to anti-NOR90 (P = 0.026) and anti-Th/To (P = 0.026).

Conclusions

This study confirmed the important role of autoantibodies in accurately diagnosing SSc. The autoimmune profile of patients with SSc was related to specific disease manifestations.

Key Points

• Autoantibody profiles were useful for diagnosing SSc and predicting clinical features of patients.

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Data availability

The data supporting the findings in this study will be available from the corresponding author on request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the China International Medical Foundation (No. Z-2018–40-2101), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81871281), and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7192211).

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  1. Xiaoying Zhang and Huijuan Zhang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People’s Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South St., Beijing, 100044, China

    Xiaoying Zhang, Jing Zhao, Yun Li, Hongyan Wang & Chun Li

  2. Department of Rheumatology, She Xian Hospital, Handan, Hebei Province, China

    Huijuan Zhang

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  1. Xiaoying Zhang
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Correspondence to Chun Li.

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Zhang, X., Zhang, H., Zhao, J. et al. Diagnostic accuracy and predictive value of autoantibody profiles in patients with systemic sclerosis: a single-center study. Clin Rheumatol 42, 1297–1306 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-022-06487-3

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