The role of antinuclear reactions in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus: A study of 53 cases

Fifty‐three patients with symptoms suggestive of S.L.E. were studied clinically and serologically (antinuclear reactions included complement fixation against nucleoprotein, DNA, and histone, tests for rheumatoid arthritis). Clinically and serologically, the patients with (72 per cent) and without (18 per cent) L.E. cell phenomenon did not differ significantly and seem to represent one nosological entity. It is suggested that in the past too much emphasis has been placed on a positive L.E. cell test in establishing the diagnosis of S.L.E. The results clearly indicate that in addition to this test, antinuclear reactions are an indispensable tool in establishing the diagnosis of S.L.E. Un serie de 53 patientes con symptomas suggerente systemic lupus erythematose esseva studiate clinica‐ e serologicamente. Le reactiones antinucleari includeva fixation de complemento contra nucleoproteina, acido disoxyribonucleic, e histona e tests de arthritis rheumatoide. Le patientes con e illes sin le phenomeno de cellulas L.E. (72 e 18 per cent) non differeva significativemente ab le punctos de vista clinic e serologic. II pare que illes representa le mesme entitate nosologic. Es presentate le opinion que in le passato troppo importantia esseva attribuite al positive test de cellulas L.E. in le establimento del diagnose de systemic lupus erythematose. Le resultatos indica clarmente que, a parte iste test, reactiones antinucleari es indispensabile in establir le diagnose de systemic lupus erythematose.