Open AccessAnti‐dsdna and complement profiles as prognostic guides in systemic lupus erythematosus
Author(s) -
Swaak A. J. G.,
Aarden L. A.,
Statius Eps L. W. Van,
Feltkamp T. E. W.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780220304
Subject(s) - exacerbation , anti dsdna antibodies , titer , medicine , immunology , antibody , lupus erythematosus , systemic lupus erythematosus , disease
Antibodies to dsDNA, tested with circular DNA in the Farr assay, are specific for systemic lupus erythematosus. A longitudinal study showed a clear relation between the clinical state, the anti‐dsDNA titer (expressed in units), and the C1q and C3 levels: when anti‐dsDNA levels remained high, no exacerbations were observed. A sharp drop in anti‐dsDNA, usually preceded by a rise, was related to a serious exacerbation. Only during the exacerbation when both C1q and C3 were very low was renal involvement seen.