The antinuclear antibody test (ANA) is used to screen for the presence of autoantibodies that are directed toward components in the nucleus of the cell. Clinicians use the ANA test to assess the likelihood that a given patient has a SARD, but the results of the ANA test alone are not diagnostic. The patient must also have clinical evidence of the disease as well. Because the early clinical presentation for many of the SARDs are nonspecific, the results of the ANA test and subsequent follow-up testing are key pieces to making the correct diagnosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent disease in this group; however, the ANA assay is not the primary laboratory test for RA. Instead, the test for RA looks for the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) or cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP).
For the other diseases in the SARDs group, especially SLE and SSc, the ANA test results can help determine a correct diagnosis.
The utility of the ANA test is to detect the antibodies early in the disease process. In conjunction with clinical presentation, the ANA results give the clinician solid evidence to intervene with appropriate treatment. Studies have shown that once treatment is started, the formation of new antibodies slows or even halts.
Currently, there are no cures for SARDs. Treatments primarily focus on keeping the patient comfortable and the immune response in check. Treatments can vary from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to immuno-suppressive drugs to stem cell transplants. Individual treatment often depends on the disease's severity and response to the selected drug regimen.
