Patterns of clinical disease associated with antibodies to nuclear ribonucleoprotein
Maddison, P.J.; Mogavero, H.; Reichlin, M.
Journal of Rheumatology 5(4): 407-411
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 310884 Document Number: 133906
Forty-three patients were studied whose sera were monospecific for nuclear ribonucleoprotein by double immunodiffusion. Thirty-four patients had features typical of systemic lupus erythematosus of which 30 fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria. Clinical features such as rashes, serositis and hematological abnormalities occurred with a frequency expected in SLE. Raynaud's phenomenon occurred in 60%, but other features of mixed connective tissue disease were uncommon. Clinical evidence of renal disease occurred in only four patients. In our experience a good prognosis is related more to the presence of anti-nRNP alone in the serum than to any specific set of clinical findings.