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Antinuclear antibodies testing as a routine screening for systemic lupus erythematosus in patients presenting first‐episode psychosis
Author(s) -
Mantovani Célia,
LouzadaJunior Paulo,
Nunes Emerson Arcoverde,
de Figueiredo Felipe Pinheiro,
Oliveira Glício Rebouças,
DelBen Cristina Marta
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2011.00339.x
Subject(s) - anti nuclear antibody , medicine , psychosis , systemic lupus erythematosus , systemic lupus , autoantibody , immunology , antibody , dermatology , psychiatry , disease
Aims: This report discusses the use of antinuclear antibody (ANA) detection as a screening test for neuropsychiatry systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) in patients presenting a first‐episode psychosis. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 85 patients admitted to an emergency service due to first‐episode psychosis, during a 1‐year period, for whom ANA detection was performed through an IFI HEp2 cell assay. ANA‐positive patients were subsequently evaluated for autoantibodies and neuroimaging exams. Results: Three patients presented as ANA positive in the initial screening and further investigation confirmed NPSLE in two patients. The patients were treated with antipsychotics and cyclophosphamide pulses with satisfactory outcomes. Conclusion: Even though ANA detection is not specific, it is a low‐cost procedure and could be an important screening test for NPSLE in the early‐onset psychosis.