-transparent.png){kind=logo}
OBJECTIVE To test the postulate that there is a higher prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in serum samples from blood relatives and from spouses of patients with scleroderma than in control samples, and that this provides evidence for both genetic and environmental factors influencing autoimmunity in scleroderma. METHODS Testing for ANAs was performed on 58 patients with scleroderma, 30 of their spouses, 74 first degree relatives, and 66 control subjects broadly age matched to the patients, their spouses, and about half of the relatives (siblings and parents). RESULTS On the basis of an ANA titre of > 40 as positive, 12 (18%) of the controls, 55 (95%) of the patients, one (3%) of the spouses and five (7%) of the relatives would be classified as positive. Thirty seven (64%) of the patients had defined specificities (ACA, Scl 70, U1 (RNP)) but none of the controls, spouses, or relatives had antibodies of these specificities. CONCLUSIONS These findings give no support to the postulate that environmental or genetic factors contribute to the ANAs in scleroderma.
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
October 1986,
Annals of the rheumatic diseases,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
January 1985,
The British journal of dermatology,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
January 1972,
Przeglad dermatologiczny,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
October 1968,
Arthritis and rheumatism,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
September 1980,
Nihon Hifuka Gakkai zasshi. The Japanese journal of dermatology,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
November 1996,
Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
February 1971,
Mayo Clinic proceedings,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
January 1985,
Clinical and experimental rheumatology,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
August 1986,
Revista medica de Chile,
A J Barnett, and
L J McNeilage
January 1990,
Dermatologica,
