[Anti PM-Scl antibodies. Study of prevalence and of meaning].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study is to appreciate the prevalence of antibodies anti PM-Scl within the framework of antinuclear antibodies detection and to clarify clinical biological and evolutive features associated to these antibodies.

METHODS

9,747 consecutive antinuclear testing datas allowed us to evaluate anti PM-Scl antibodies frequency. A retrospective analysis of patients characteristics was performed to identify clinical, biological and evolutive signs associated with this antibody over a five years follow up period.

RESULTS

Over the 9,747 samples tested for antinuclear antibodies detection, 3,493 (35.8%) are positive. An anti ENA activity is observed in 727 (7.5%) cases and anti PM-Scl in 6 (0.06%). These antibodies are described in systemic sclerosis, myositis or overlap syndromes. All theses diseases showed a low evolutivity over the five years of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Low prevalence and possible association with an overlap autoimmune syndrome of quite good prognosis are reported with anti PM-Scl antibodies.