Serological and clinical associations of autoantibodies in Chinese patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

To study the clinical significance of autoantibodies in Chinese patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we enrolled 526 new-onset patients who met the 1997 Updated American College of Rheumatology SLE Classification Criteria for a retrospective cohort study. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to detect the relationship of autoantibodies with clinical manifestations and serological results respectively. Our results demonstrated that the positive rate of anti-ribosomal P protein (anti-P) antibody in female patients was higher than that in male patients (41.2% vs. 22%, P = 0.008). Patients with anti-SSB (43.95 & PLUSMN; 73.12 vs. 40.92 & PLUSMN; 75.75, P = 0.004; 63.93 & PLUSMN; 103.56 vs. 55.06 & PLUSMN; 120.84, P = 0.008 respectively) antibodies had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), whereas those with anti-P antibody (28.90 & PLUSMN; 25.70 vs. 50.08 & PLUSMN; 93.00, P = 0.014; 38.51 & PLUSMN; 48.19 vs. 69.95 & PLUSMN; 142.67, P = 0.047, respectively) had lower levels of them. Anti-dsDNA antibody (P = 0.021) was associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The patients with anti-Ro60 (P = 0.044), anti-P (P = 0.012) and anti-dsDNA (P = 0.013) antibodies were less likely to develop Interstitial lung disease. Anti-SmRNP antibody was correlated to lower prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (P = 0.037), and patients with anti-centromere antibody (ACA) were more likely to develop serositis (P = 0.016).We identified five clusters of SLE-related autoantibodies, confirmed previously reported associations of autoantibodies, and discovered new associations.

Automated summary

In order to explore the clinical significance of autoantibodies in Chinese patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a total of 526 patients who met the criteria for SLE were included in a retrospective cohort study. The study found that the presence of anti-ribosomal P protein (anti-P) antibody was higher in female patients compared to male patients. Additionally, the presence of certain autoantibodies was associated with liver enzyme levels, pulmonary arterial hypertension, interstitial lung disease, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and serositis. The study identified new associations and confirmed previously reported associations of SLE-related autoantibodies.