Anti-SS-A antibody and other antinuclear antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Randomly selected sera from 88 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied for the frequency of antibodies to SS-A, SS-B, RANA, RNP, Sm, Sc-1, and dsDNA. Results were in agreement with previous reports except for an increased incidence of anti-SS-A antibody (33%). Nine of 14 patients with anti-SS-A antibody on whom serial studies were performed had fluctuating titers. Titer changes often correlated with disease activity and dsDNA antibody levels.