Multicentric prevalence study of anti P ribosomal autoantibodies in juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus compared with adult onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and associations with clinical manifestations of anti- P ribosomal antibodies in patients with juvenile-onset and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Clinical and serological data of 30 patients with juvenile-onset SLE (age at onset younger than 16 years old) were compared with data of 92 patients with adult-onset SLE. Symptoms occurring during the entire disease course were considered. Anti- P ribosomal antibodies were tested by ELISA. RESULTS: Anti- P ribosomal antibodies were found significantly more often in pediatric-onset SLE patients (26.7% vs. 6.5%; OR=5.21 [CI95%=1.6-16.5], p=0.003). Alopecia (OR=10.11, CI 95%=1.25-97) and skin rash (non discoid) (OR=4.1, CI 95%=1.25-13.89) were significantly associated with anti- P ribosomal antibodies. CONCLUSION: Anti-ribosomal P antibodies are more often found in patients with juvenile SLE. Alopecia and skin rash were the only clinical manifestations associated to anti-ribosomal P antibodies.

Are There Clinical Differences in Limited Systemic Sclerosis according to Extension of Skin Involvement?

Objectives. To examine the characteristics of our patients with limited systemic sclerosis (lSSc) for differences between Barnett Type 1 (sclerodactyly only) and Type 2 or intermediate (acrosclerosis-distal but may reach up to elbows and/or knees plus face) subsets. Methods. Records of patients between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011, with SSc or those with anti-Scl-70, anticentromere, or antinucleolar antibodies were reviewed. Only cases fulfilling ACR 1980 criteria were included and classified as diffuse or limited according to LeRoy's criteria. Limited SSc was separated into sclerodactyly and acrosclerosis (Barnett's Types 1 and 2). Results. 234 SSc patients (216 females) fulfilled criteria. Female/male ratio was 12 : 1; 24% had dSSc and 76% lSSC (64% Type 1 and 12% Type 2). Total follow-up was 688 patient-years. Within lSSC, the Type 2 group had significantly shorter duration of Raynaud's and more anti-Scl-70 and less anticentromere antibodies. In particular, interstitial lung disease (ILD) was significantly more prevalent in Type 2 group and similar to Type 3. Conclusions. These results appear to confirm that extension of skin involvement within limited SSc may identify two different subsets with clinical and serologic characteristics.