Different patterns of longitudinal changes in antinuclear antibodies titers in children with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome

Objective to investigate the trend of autoantibody titers during a 2-year follow-up in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) and pediatric Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Methods Autoantibodies testing was performed every 3-4 months during 2 years from disease onset in a cohort of children with pSLE and pSS. Results We enrolled 21 children with pSLE and 22 children with pSS. All pSLE patients at 2 years showed ANA titers significantly lower compared to disease onset. Eleven patients (73%) were still ANA positive at 2 years, while 4 (26%) became ANA negative. At diagnosis, 12 (80%) patients showed a homogeneous pattern, while 3 (20%) patients showed a speckled pattern. The latter remained ANA positive with the same pattern; only 2 patients with a homogenous pattern converted to speckled, 4 patients with a homogeneous pattern became ANA negative. ANA negative pSLE patients showed lower levels of interferon score compared to ANA positive patients. Anti-dsDNA titers declined equally in the two groups. All patients with pSS, at disease onset, were ANA and anti-Ro positive and 14 (66%) were anti-La positive. After 2 years of follow-up, 100% remained ANA positive but showed significant lower titers. During follow-up anti-Ro and anti-La titers remained stable. Conclusion different patterns in changes of ANA and ENA titers in pSLE and pSS were shown. At 2 years of follow-up, all pSLE patients had a lower ANA titer and 26% became negative; however, all pSS patients remained both ANA and ENA positive. This evidence may be due to different pathogenetic pathways in SLE and pSS.