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

Background/aim: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-RNA polymerase (RNAP) III and other autoantibodies in a group of Turkish 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 control groups including 86 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 65 healthy subjects, respectively. Their relationship with diseases 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 no difference among groups (P > 0.999). Anti-Sm was significantly more common in SLE patients (P < 0.001), whereas antitopoisomerase I and anticentromere protein B were significantly more common in SSc patients (P < 0.001). There was a significant association between antitopoisomerase I positivity and interstitial lung disease (P < 0.001), and interestingly there was also a significant association between anti-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.