Evaluation of Antinuclear Antibody in Connective Tissue Disorders

Dr.Ashish Patel; Dr.Dipika Sathvara; Dr.Himanshu Patel; Dr.C.Chakrabarti

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

Evaluation of Antinuclear Antibody in Connective Tissue Disorders

Dr. Ashish Patel, Dr. Dipika Sathvara, Dr. Himanshu Patel, Dr. C. Chakrabarti

Abstract :

Connective tissue disorders (CTD) are a group of autoimmune disorders which are characterized by presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the blood of patients. Although lower amounts of these antibodies can be seen in the normal population as well, a spurt in titers is seen in patients of CTD. Not only are these antibodies involved in the disease pathogenesis, but they also constitute the basis for diagnosis and treatment of CTD. In the present cross-sectional study, 100 clinically suggestive Patients of connective tissue disorders and 100 normal patients were selected. All samples were analyzed for ANA by ELISA method. Sensitivity and specificity of ANA test by ELISA is 87% and 91% respectively. Thus to conclude, it appears that the ELISA assay for ANA is suitable as a preliminary investigation for the diagnosis of Connective tissue disorders. Being technically simpler, less subjective, and faster it could be particularly useful in laboratories screening large numbers of samples.