Abstract            Volume:9  Issue-12  Year-2021         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

For the diagnosis of autoimmune disorders detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) is a key step. These are the hallmark of autoimmunity and are commonly seen in diseases like SLE, Scleroderma, polymyositis. Investigating the prevalence of ANA in patients suspected of autoimmune disorders and their clinical relevance. The clinico-demographic profile and risk factors present in the patient were correlated with ANA positivity. All samples received for ANA screening were tested for presence of ANA by ELISA. After that only patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of autoimmune diseases were tested for antibodies to ENA (extractable nuclear antigen) by LIA. Proforma was filled up for each patient to record the clinic-demographic details of the patients. Statistical analysis : All categorical data collected was analyzed using the GraphPad software. Descriptive analysis was done using percentage and association between variables were calculated using chi square test with significant P value < 0.05. Out of 2880, only 456 patients had signs and symptoms suggestive of autoimmune diseases and were included for further analysis.. Only 59 samples out of 456 were screened by both ELISA and LIA and were included in this study for further analysis of risk factors and clinico-demographic profile. Prevalence of ANA was found to be 7.8% (36/456). Female gender was significantly associated with ANA positivity (p=.0330). Joint pain and swelling was a significant clinical manifestation in patients who were ANA positive (p=.0375). Patients diagnosed with connective tissue disorders were significantly associated with ANA positivity as compared to infection/inflammation or other diagnosis (p=.0301). Most common antibody type among ANA positive cases found by LIA was SSA/Ro60 (50%) followed by SSA/Ro52 (22.2%) and PCNA (13.8%). DsDNA was present in connective tissue disorder while U1-SnRNP, SSB/La were present in infection and inflammation and other groups. Antibody types like Pm-Scl Sm-D1 and Ku were found in infection and inflammation. ANA positivity indicates towards autoimmune disease diagnosis especially CTDs with female gender being significant risk factor. ANA screening is commonly done for Arthritis. Patients presenting with fever, rash, joint pain, swelling, numbness and fatigue should be screened for ANA, followed by detection of antibodies against ENA which have more reliable diagnostic and prognostic roles.

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