The relationship of anti-DNA antibody idiotypes and anti-cardiolipin antibodies to disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The detection of anti-cardiolipin antibodies and anti-DNA antibody idiotypes has shown utility in a prospective assessment of 42 lupus patients over a 1-year study period. However, so broad is the range of clinical and serological features included in the diagnostic category of SLE that even a combination of tests will often inadequately reflect disease activity at a given time. For the foreseeable future the value of laboratory investigations will probably lie in supporting clinical judgment of the nature of a patient's illness and the severity of the target organ's dysfunction.