PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Arjeh J. Wysenbeek
AU  - David R. Mandel
AU  - Maureen D. Mayes
AU  - John D. Clough
TI  - Autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus of late onset
DP  - 1985 Jun 20
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 119--122
VI  - 52
IP  - 2
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/52/2/119.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/52/2/119.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med1985 Jun 20; 52
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of late onset (>50 yrs) was investigated in 40 patients. The most frequent clinical manifestations involved the joints, pleura, and skin, with the kidney and central nervous system being relatively unaffected. The most common laboratory findings were antinuclear antibody and leukopenia. Nine patients (22%) had anti-DNA antibodies. Antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were examined in 14 patients and found to be positive in 5 (36%). Altogether, anti-DNA was present in 58% of cases (P < 0.0002) and anti-ENA in 72% (P < 0.01). The low incidence of autoantibodies correlates with the good prognosis of SLE in older patients reported in the literature.