Analysis of Anti-alpha-fodrin Autoantibodies Applied in Diagnosis
of Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome: Preliminary Study
Stejskal D.1, Horák P.2, Balíková R.3, Juránková R.1, Adamovská S.1,Jedelský L.1, Prošková J.1, Lačňák B.1, Bartek J.4
1Oddělení laboratorní medicíny Nemocnice Šternberk 2III. interní klinika Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc3Revmatologická ambulance Interního oddělení Nemocnice Šternberk4Ústav lékařské chemie a biochemie, LF UP Olomouc |
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Summary:
Introduction: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is autoimmune exocrinopathy manifested by xerophthalmia and xerostomia
or by some diffuse diseases of the connective tissue. Diagnosis is based, in addition to a case history and
clinical data, on ophthalmologic, otorhinolaryngologic, stomatologic and laboratory examinations. Laboratory
diagnosis is rather less specific so that other approaches have been investigated. One method seeming to be
suitable in the differential diagnosis of SS may be the determination of anti-alpha-fodrin autoantibodies.
Objective: The aim was to verify the diagnostic importance of determination of anti-alpha-fodrin antibodies in
patients with SS.
Methods: Persons under study were divided into three groups: 13 persons with primary SS, 12 patients with
collagenose without signs of SS, 16 healthy individuals. IgG and IgA, antibodies against alpha-fodrin, were
determined in all persons (ELISA, Aesku.lab Diagnostika).
Results: The three groups did not differ in age, antibodies concentration and sex. A significant correlation was
found between concentrations of antibodies IgG and IgA (correlation coefficient 0.51, p=0,0013). Antibodies IgA
showed 7% SS sensitivity and 88% specificity for the used cut-off (15 U/ml). None of volunteers had the IgG
concentration over the diagnostic limit. Using ROC analysis, AUC was 0.56 for IgA and 0.59 for IgG.
Conclusion: Determination of anti-alpha-fodrin autoantibodies is of no prognostic value in the diagnosis of
Sjögren’s syndrome.
Key words:
autoimmune exocrinopathy, laboratory diagnosis, determination of antibodies.
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