An analysis of the relationship between autoantibodies and clinical findings in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-RNA polymerase (RNAP) III and other autoantibodies in a group ofTurkish patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and their relation with clinical features.Materials and methods: The prevalence of anti-RNAP III and other autoantibodies was analyzed in 93 patients with SSc and controlgroups including 86 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 65 healthy subjects, respectively. Their relationship withdiseases findings was assessed in a cross-sectional manner.Results: Prevalences of anti-RNAP III were 2/93 (2.2%) in SSc, 1/86 (1.2%) in SLE, and 1/65 (1.5%) in the healthy group and there was nodifference among groups (P > 0.999). Anti-Sm was significantly more common in SLE patients (P < 0.001), whereas antitopoisomerase Iand anticentromere protein B were significantly more common in SSc patients (P < 0.001). There was a significant association betweenantitopoisomerase I positivity and interstitial lung disease (P < 0.001), and interestingly there was also a significant association betweenanti-SS-A 52 positivity and the presence of digital ulcers in patients with SSc.Conclusion: Our data show that anti-RNAP III in SSc patients was low in frequency in a Turkish population.