Antinucleosome in systemic lupus erythematosus. A study in a Brazilian population

Antinucleosome antibodies have been found with variable prevalence in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and were associated with more severe disease. This research aims to study the prevalence of antinucleosome antibodies in a sample of Brazilian adult SLE patients and their association with clinical findings and disease activity. Ninety-two adult patients (81 females and 11 males, with mean age of 37.29 +/- 10.98 years) with SLE were studied for clinical and antibody profile, disease activity by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), and presence of antinucleosome antibodies by ELISA. The prevalence of antinucleosome antibodies was 61.9% (mean titer, 87.8 +/- 62.6 U). No relationship was found of antinucleosome presence and any of the studied clinical features. A positive association was detected with anti-DNA (p=0.001) and SLEDAI (p<0.0001), but not with anti-Sm, anti-Ro, anti-La, and anti-RNP. No specific disease feature could be associated with the presence of antinucleosome; however, a positive relationship was detected with disease activity measured by SLEDAI and with anti-DNA presence.